Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Chemical Technician Laboratory experience provides students with hands-on experience in using various instruments and techniques properly. 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
. Education Chemical technicians typically need an associate's degree or 2 years of postsecondary education in applied science or chemical technology. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor's degree in those or related fields, such as biology or physical science. Other employers may consider candidates who have a high school diploma. Technical and community college programs in applied sciences or chemical technology typically include courses in math, physics, and biology in addition to chemistry. Coursework in statistics and computer science is also useful for learning data analysis and modeling. Courses that include a laboratory component provide students with hands-on practice in conducting experiments and proper use of instruments and techniques. Participating in internships and cooperative-education programs while attending school helps students gain experience.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of chemical technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 7,600 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. Employment 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. Chemical Technicians Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Life, physical, and social science technicians 5% Chemical technicians 5% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Chemical Technicians 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
Work Environment
Chemical technicians held about 60,000 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of chemical technicians were as follows:
| 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 |
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.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Chemical technicians must be methodical in conducting scientific experiments and interpreting data. Communication skills. Chemical technicians must explain their work to scientists and engineers or to workers who may not have a technical background. They often write reports to summarize their results. Detail oriented. Chemical technicians need to set up, operate, and maintain precision laboratory equipment and instruments. They also must keep meticulous records of their experiments, observations, and results. Interpersonal skills. Chemical technicians must work well as part of a team that often includes scientists, engineers, and other technicians. Training Chemical technicians typically receive on-the-job training from experienced technicians, who explain proper methods and procedures for conducting experiments and operating equipment. The length of training varies with the new employee’s level of experience and education and by industry. Advancement Technicians who have a bachelor’s degree may advance to become chemical engineers or chemists.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about chemical technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.