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Chemical Technician

Also called: Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Quality Control Technician (QC Tech), Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab 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.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Science & engineering support
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Median pay
$60,390/yr
Typical range
$41,740 – $92,040
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Chemical Technician do?

  • 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.

How to become a Chemical Technician

Training: Bachelor's degree or a high school diploma or GED. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problemsReading work related informationNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve itMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve itThinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Is it a fit for you?

  • Cautiousness
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Achievement Orientation

Tools and technology

Oracle DatabaseStructured query language SQLMicrosoft PowerPointOracle Java

Questions people ask

How much does a Chemical Technician make?

About $60,390 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $41,740 and $92,040. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Chemical Technician?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be a Chemical Technician?

No four-year degree is needed. Bachelor's degree or a high school diploma or GED.

Is Chemical Technician a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services 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.

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