How to become a Chemical Technician

Official title: Chemical Technicians

Also called: Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab Technician), Chemical Analyst, Chemical Technician, Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Laboratory Tester (Lab Tester), Organic Preparation Analyst (Organic Prep Analyst), Quality Control Laboratory Technician (QC Lab Tech), Quality Control Technician (QC Tech), Research Technician

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.

Main tasks

• Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
• Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
• Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
• Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
• Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
• Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
• Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.
• Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.

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.

Typical education to start: Associate's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Chemical Engineering Technician.
• Apprenticeship: Chemical Laboratory Technician.
• Apprenticeship: Laboratory Technician.
• Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Chemistry, General; Analytical Chemistry; Inorganic Chemistry

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $60,390 a year The middle half earn $48,530 to $75,900.
• About 60,000 people work in this job now, and about 63,000 are projected by 2035. (+4.9%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Related jobs

• Hydrologic Technicians
• Agricultural Technicians
• Precision Agriculture Technicians
• Food Science Technicians
• Biological Technicians
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

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Questions people ask

How do I 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.

How much does a Chemical Technician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $60,390 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $48,530 to $75,900.

Is a Chemical Technician a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 60,000 to about 63,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Chemical Technician?

Not always. 34% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Associate's degree; Chemical Engineering Technician.

Will AI change the work of a Chemical Technician?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.