What is a Chemical Technician?
Job 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.
Life As a Chemical Technician
- Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.
- Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
- Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.
- Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
- Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.
- Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
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What Every Chemical Technician Should Know
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Colorist
- Dye Expert
- Dye Lab Technician
- Gold Assayer
- Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)
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. The BLS estimates 6,600 yearly job openings in this field.

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 Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Chemical Technicians is somewhere between $29,920 and $79,100.

Chemical Technicians who work in Delaware, Louisiana, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Chemical Technicians make in different U.S. states?
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 & Technology do Chemical Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Chemical Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- 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++
Becoming a Chemical Technician
Learn what Chemical Technician education requirements there are.

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

Chemical Technicians Sector

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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