Life, Physical & Social Science
Chemical Technicians
Also called: Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab Technician), Chemical Analyst, Chemical Technician, Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst)
US median pay
$60,390
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.9%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
7,600
60,000 employed
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.
- Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Systems Evaluation3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
- Operation and Control3.0/5
Knowledge
- Chemistry3.8/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Mathematics3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.1/5
- Production and Processing3.0/5
- Administrative2.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Associate's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree44%
- High school diploma33%
- Some college22%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.