The median pay for Chemical Technicians is $60,390 a year ($29.03/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 4.9% through 2035, with about 7,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 19-4031
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Chemical Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $60,390a year, or $29.03/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $42KTop 10% $92K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.9%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 7,60060,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202560K
- Projected 203563K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 60K Projected 2035 63K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school33.3%
- Some college22.4%
- Associate's0.5%
- Bachelor's43.7%
Highest education held by chemical technicians Segment Value High school 33.3% Some college 22.4% Associate's 0.5% Bachelor's 43.7%
Also advertised as: Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab Technician), Chemical Analyst, Chemical Technician, Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Laboratory Tester (Lab Tester).
Pay
How much do Chemical Technicians make?
Every chemical technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$60,390
Middle half earn $48,530 to $75,900
- 10th
- $41,740
- 25th
- $48,530
- 75th
- $75,900
- 90th
- $92,040
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $41,740 |
| 25th | $48,530 |
| Median | $60,390 |
| 75th | $75,900 |
| 90th | $92,040 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $60,390
- Median hourly wage
- $29.03/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $63,900
- People employed
- 57,540
Versus all US occupations
At $60,390, Chemical Technicians earn 18% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $9,410 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 27% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $92,040 or more while the bottom 10% earn $41,740, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 33% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Louisiana pays the most at $85,850, and still leads at $97,328 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Chemical Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Louisiana | $85,850 | $97,328 | 960 |
| 2Alaska | $79,380 | $77,551 | 100 |
| 3Delaware | $78,620 | $78,771 | 540 |
| 4South Carolina | $75,020 | $80,022 | 2,080 |
| 5Missouri | $68,550 | $75,481 | 720 |
| 6Massachusetts | $67,570 | $63,892 | 1,780 |
| 7Arizona | $65,860 | $65,417 | 390 |
| 8Vermont | $65,560 | $66,927 | 150 |
| 9Hawaii | $63,910 | $58,126 | 40 |
| 10Colorado | $63,770 | $61,881 | 1,180 |
Job outlook
Is Chemical Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Technicians | +4.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Chemical Technicians to change 4.9% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 3,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 7,600 openings are projected each year, 12.7% of the 60,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
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.
Chemical technicians are expected to continue to be in demand to test new materials and products developed by chemists and chemical engineers. They also will be needed to monitor the quality of chemical products and processes. In addition, demand for these technicians is projected due to greater interest in environmental issues such as pollution control, clean energy, and sustainability.
Getting in
How to become a Chemical Technician
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.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as chemical technicians.
- Bachelor's Degree43.7%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)33.3%
- Some College Courses22.4%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree0.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 43.7% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 33.3% |
| Some College Courses | 22.4% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Chemical Technician do?
Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.
Chemical technicians use laboratory instruments and techniques to help scientists analyze the properties of materials.
Day-to-day tasks
- Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.
- Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
- Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
- Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
- Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
- Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.
- Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.
- Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
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.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where chemical technicians work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Chemical manufacturing30%
- Testing laboratories and services18%
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences8%
- Wholesale trade6%
- Educational services; state, local, and private4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical manufacturing | 30% |
| Testing laboratories and services | 18% |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 8% |
| Wholesale trade | 6% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Science4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Writing3.9
- Monitoring3.9
- Speaking3.4
- Active Learning3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Science | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.4 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Time Management3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Development environment software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Chemical Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Chemical Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative5.8
- Realistic5.5
- Conventional5.3
- Social1.6
- Artistic1.5
- Enterprising1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Chemical Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologist and Technician
$66,120median a year
Most earn $47K to $99K
+3.1%Associate's - Production
- Architecture and Engineering
Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician
$66,120median a year
Most earn $47K to $99K
+3.1%Associate's
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with chemical technicians highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$90,150
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Chemical Technician appears on
Questions
Chemical Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Chemical Technicians make?
Chemical Technicians earn a median of $60,390 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 18% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $29.03/hr. The middle half earn between $48,530 and $75,900. The top 10% earn $92,040 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Chemical Technician?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Chemical Technicians. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 43.7% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Chemical Technician a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.9% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 7,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Chemical Technician do?
Chemical technicians use laboratory instruments and techniques to help scientists analyze the properties of materials. A core O*NET task: provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software.
Which states pay Chemical Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Chemical Technicians are Louisiana ($85,850), Alaska ($79,380), Delaware ($78,620) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Chemical Technician?
O*NET scores Chemical Technicians highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.