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Chemical Technician

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What Do Chemical Technician Do?

Career Description 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.

Daily Life Of a Chemical Technician

  • Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.
  • Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
  • Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
  • Design or fabricate experimental apparatus to develop new products or processes.
  • Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.
  • Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.

Things a Chemical Technician Should Know How to Do

These are the skills Chemical Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:

Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Types of Chemical Technician

  • Water Analyst
  • Chemist Assistant
  • Dye Expert
  • Materials Analyst
  • Color Matcher

Is There Job Demand for Chemical Technicians?

In the United States, there were 67,300 jobs for Chemical Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,700 new jobs for Chemical Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 6,600 positions for Chemical Technician per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Chemical Technician are Utah, Colorado, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, North Dakota, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Chemical Technician Salary

The average yearly salary of a Chemical Technician ranges between $29,920 and $79,100.

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Chemical Technicians who work in Delaware, Louisiana, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.

How much do Chemical Technicians make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $50,740
Alaska $55,890
Arizona $47,850
Arkansas $46,180
California $48,280
Colorado $49,730
Connecticut $51,640
Delaware $62,760
District of Columbia $51,060
Florida $47,970
Georgia $45,330
Hawaii $53,970
Idaho $44,150
Illinois $53,000
Indiana $44,200
Iowa $43,880
Kansas $43,760
Kentucky $50,030
Louisiana $65,030
Maine $43,130
Maryland $47,430
Massachusetts $56,160
Michigan $40,270
Minnesota $51,760
Mississippi $52,310
Missouri $51,490
Montana $50,100
Nebraska $55,750
Nevada $52,860
New Hampshire $45,180
New Jersey $60,720
New Mexico $43,420
New York $53,000
North Carolina $49,810
North Dakota $50,370
Ohio $47,060
Oklahoma $55,630
Oregon $47,900
Pennsylvania $50,110
Rhode Island $49,240
South Carolina $45,830
South Dakota $36,420
Tennessee $47,130
Texas $59,660
Utah $46,130
Vermont $53,080
Virginia $48,730
Washington $50,360
West Virginia $52,500
Wisconsin $47,830
Wyoming $49,900

What Tools do Chemical Technicians Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Chemical Technicians:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Python
  • Microsoft Access
  • Email software
  • Word processing software
  • SAP
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Database software
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Linux
  • Oracle software
  • Software development tools
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • C++

How to Become a Chemical Technician

Individuals working as a Chemical Technician have obtained the following education levels:

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What work experience do I need to become a Chemical Technician?

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Where do Chemical Technicians Work?

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Below are examples of industries where Chemical Technicians work:

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References:

Image Credit: NASA via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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