What They Do
Chemical technicians use laboratory instruments and techniques to help scientists analyze the properties of materials.
Duties
Chemical technicians typically do the following:
- Monitor chemical processes and test product quality to make sure that they meet standards and specifications
- Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment
- Maintain production equipment and troubleshoot problems
- Prepare chemical solutions
- Conduct, compile, and interpret results of chemical and physical experiments, tests, and analyses for a variety of purposes, including research and development
- Prepare and present reports, graphs, and charts that summarize their results
Technicians who work in laboratories may help conduct experiments that contribute to research and development. For example, some chemical technicians help chemists and other scientists develop new medicines.
Other chemical technicians work in manufacturing, where they may assist in monitoring quality, maintaining equipment, and improving production processes.
Typically, chemists or chemical engineers direct chemical technicians’ work and evaluate their results. Most technicians work on teams, but they also may be required to work independently on projects. Experienced technicians may serve as mentors to technicians who are new to a lab or to a specific area of research.
Work Environment
Chemical technicians held about 57,000 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of chemical technicians were as follows:
| Chemical manufacturing | 28% |
| Testing laboratories and services | 20 |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 8 |
| Wholesale trade | 5 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 4 |
Chemical technicians often work in laboratories or in manufacturing facilities. Chemical manufacturing plants make a variety of products, such as fertilizers, medicines, and soaps.
Injuries and Illnesses
Chemical technicians may be exposed to health or safety hazards when handling certain chemicals and manufacturing equipment, but there is little risk if proper procedures are followed.
Work Schedules
Most technicians work full time. Occasionally, they may have to work additional hours to meet project deadlines or troubleshoot problems with manufacturing processes. Some work irregular schedules to monitor laboratory experiments or manufacturing operations.
How to Become One
To enter the occupation, chemical technicians typically need an associate’s degree or 2 years of postsecondary education. Some positions require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree; others require a high school diploma. Most chemical technicians receive on-the-job training.
Pay
The median annual wage for chemical technicians was $57,790 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of chemical technicians is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 6,700 openings for chemical technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.