Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for chemical engineering technicians in the United States
Are chemical engineering technician jobs in demand?
Chemical engineering technician job and salary trends over time
Chemical engineering technician jobs over time
Chemical engineering technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 170 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 124 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 128 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 192 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 177 | 0.00% |
Average chemical engineering technician salary over time
Chemical engineering technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $74,654 | $35.89 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $73,121 | $35.15 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $72,018 | $34.62 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $70,913 | $34.09 | --0.2% |
| 2021 | $71,027 | $34.15 | +1.7% |
Chemical engineering technician jobs by state
Most common states for chemical engineering technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 246 | 35% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 206 | 28% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 260 | 27% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,628 | 24% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 314 | 24% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 239 | 23% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 674 | 22% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 291 | 22% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 162 | 21% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,101 | 20% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 835 | 20% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 213 | 20% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 113 | 20% |
| 14 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,577 | 19% |
| 15 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 583 | 19% |
| 16 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,297 | 18% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,016 | 18% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 642 | 18% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 337 | 18% |
| 20 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,016 | 17% |
Chemical Engineering Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of chemical engineering technician experts
University of New Mexico
San Jose State University
Michigan Technological University
Tuskegee University
Arizona State University
Missouri University of Science & Technology
San Jose State University
Dillard University
University of Utah
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Lipscomb University
West Virginia State University
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Tuskegee University
University of Mississippi
Georgia College and State University
University of New Haven
What will help Chemical Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Jamie Gomez: Chemical engineers thrive on tackling complex problems and embracing diverse projects, which offer ample opportunities for innovation and career growth. Their work profoundly impacts society, particularly in advancing sustainable technologies. However, the profession can be demanding, with high workloads, regulatory hurdles, and safety challenges. Ethical considerations must also be carefully balanced with industrial growth. Senior chemical engineering students transitioning from capstone design projects often find the experience stressful but invaluable. These projects mirror real-world engineering scenarios and equip them with practical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. Additionally, they gain an understanding of the economic aspects of engineering projects, learning to assess cost-effectiveness and financial feasibility. These competencies are crucial for career success, offering versatility and a wide range of professional opportunities.
What Chemical Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christopher Lew: Chemical engineering is a multidisciplinary, technology-driven field that offers a broad set of skills and knowledge. Graduates have many career opportunities to choose from in various industries. The profession is dynamic, well-compensated, and allows for success and growth.
What will help Chemical Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Christopher Lew: People like the broad range of career opportunities, the ability to address complex challenges, and the potential for success and growth in various fields. Dislikes may include the complexity of the field and the varied responsibilities that require a unique way of thinking and problem-solving.
What general advice would you give to a Chemical Engineering Technician?
John Irwin EdD: Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.
Dr. Michael Curry Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Adjunct Associate Professor of MSE,, Affiliate Member of The Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, and Founder/CEO of Eco-friendly Plastic Materials, LLCTuskegee University
Chemistry, and Material Science Engineering Faculty
What skills stand out on Chemical Engineering Technician resumes?
Dr. Michael Curry Ph.D.: -Able to work in team environments
-Excellent critical thinker
-Able to make critical data evaluations and interpretations and process adjustments
-Strong background in chemical processes
-Excellent communicator (writing, talking, reading)
-Strong problem-solving capabilities
-Excellent project manager
-Independent thinker
-Self-starter
David Nielsen Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorArizona State University
School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy
What soft skills should all Chemical Engineering Technicians possess?
David Nielsen Ph.D.: Communication, teamwork, decision-making.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Chemical Engineering Technicians?
David Nielsen Ph.D.: Strong fundamental understandings of mass and energy balances, as well as thermodynamics; data analysis.
Christi Patton Luks
Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic AffairsMissouri University of Science & Technology
Linda & Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
What soft skills should all Chemical Engineering Technicians possess?
Christi Patton Luks: Teamwork and communication skills are key! Everything is done with a team. You may be the expert on the process side of the project, but you need to have great communications with the mechanical team, the financial team, and those in operations. Everyone has a slightly different skill set and point of view, so it is critical that you make your concerns clear to the rest of the team, no matter their background. Another helpful soft skill is the ability to work with people from other cultures. Many companies are multinational, or their clients are in different countries. It can be tricky to set up a time to meet as a group when dealing with multiple time zones, but the cultural issues can also be daunting. The best way to build those skills is to get to know people of different backgrounds. A friend whose parents were born in Country X or has done a lot of travel can be incredibly helpful in warning you of cultural pitfalls.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Chemical Engineering Technicians?
Christi Patton Luks: We teach a lot of facts and theories. All of those are useful, but really the ability to problem solve and pull together the different things you've learned is what makes the difference. When I worked in the industry, I may not have solved a differential equation, but I had solved enough problems in school that I could recognize when the patterns I was seeing in real life had the correct trends. If the trend wasn't what I expected, I got to dig deeper to figure out why. Curiosity and a desire to dig deeper to solve a problem really help.
What skills will help Chemical Engineering Technicians earn the most?
Christi Patton Luks: Frankly, your GPA may be the biggest driver for your first job out of college. A high GPA gets a lot of attention, but you'll need work experience and activities to convert that into a job offer. If your GPA isn't great, then those extracurricular activities and internships will be what lands you that job. The key is to tell a story about what you got out of each of those experiences. When I was interviewing for my first job, I think I got more interest in the fact that I had helped to organize a local preliminary competition to Miss America than anything else. I hadn't competed! I had just organized the production of the show. I spent just a few weeks working on that project, but it was unusual and demonstrated leadership and organization, and teamwork.
What's a good job out of college for Chemical Engineering Technicians?
David Wagner: Simply put, some of the best jobs out of college are the ones that pay. That is to say, not everyone is offered a paid job with benefits upon graduating. Some contracting work is typically involved, which can be on a short-term basis and work into a long-term or permanent position. A good job is when you, as the employee, and your employer are mutually benefitted from your presence. If you feel welcome at work, then you'll do a better job; it is that simple for some graduates. If, however, you want to move up from technician to engineer to manager to executive, or anywhere in between, then a good job will allow this ascension. On the other hand, being your own boss is a great job as well as long as you are disciplined enough to do so. Ultimately, there is a cost-benefit analysis you will have to perform, either consciously or subconsciously, as to what you define a good job and what obligations you have upon graduation.
What will help Chemical Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
David Wagner: I see graduates benefit the most when they learn skills, apply those skills, and communicate how those skills helped them. While this is much easier said than done and it can be time-consuming to learn skills in addition to your education, there is absolutely no substitute for a person that has accrued knowledge and its application and then knows how to use it to their benefit. Certifications, learning badges, project applications, and even letters of recommendation convey to people that you know aspects of your discipline well and can apply them to other disciplines and jobs seamlessly. Skills get you hired; success gets you promoted; you get yourself paid.
Lovell Agwaramgbo Ph.D.
Professor of ChemistryDillard University
Department of Chemistry
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Chemical Engineering Technicians?
Lovell Agwaramgbo Ph.D.: The certifications/licensures and courses that can have the biggest impact on job prospects are degree dependent. In STEM fields, technology was an engine that kept afloat many sectors during the pandemic. For non-technology-oriented science majors, getting certified in coding, Phython, etc., will increase a student's skill set and job prospects. For a chemist, certification in coding, analytical tools (HPLC, GCMS, AA, and NMR), computational chemistry, bioinformatics, and water remediation and management will guarantee employment.
Students should consider getting a certification in an interdisciplinary area within their field of study that proved to be relevant during the pandemic.
We have been discussing majors of growth potential with the Hanover Group and based on their recommendations we are in the incubation stages of developing new but relevant majors, built-in minors and certifications; particularly those that are interdisciplinary in nature.
What will help Chemical Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Lovell Agwaramgbo Ph.D.: Earning potential is commensurate with expertise, skills, and experience. Acquisition of additional field-related skills will add value to one's resume and thus increase employability and earning potential. Employers appreciate and reward candidates who display initiative, imagination, and creativity in solving problems with clarity, relevance, and logic. It is conventionally understood that those with higher degrees tend to make more income. A chemist with a doctorate degree earns between twenty to thirty thousand dollars more than a bachelor degree holder. Thus, I encourage my students to enroll in doctorate programs or pipeline programs with the goal of earning a doctorate to increase employability and earning potential. Furthermore, as I have stated earlier, acquisition of additional skills, especially in technical and cross discipline skills and experiences will increase earning potential.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Engineering Technicians?
Anthony Butterfield: I think the pandemic has taught all of us new tricks and we've overcome the activation barrier to working and meeting remotely. I think the new engineering workplace will be one in which the physical location matter even less. This, of course, means the list of possible employers may grow for graduates who wish to remain in their hometown, but so will the competition for those positions that allow remote work.
What technical skills for a Chemical Engineering Technician stand out to employers?
Anthony Butterfield: I would say the skills that stand out in an interview and early on in someone's career would be:
-Strong conceptual understanding of core engineering concepts. Knowing the exact form of, say, the fluid dynamics equation you need to use is less important than having a reflexive understanding of the relationship between pressure and flowrate. You can look up exact equations quickly, but foundational conceptual understanding of the physics needs to be at the ready.
-The ability to apply their technical understanding to innovate. Many students will graduate with the same ability to code, and the same understanding from core engineering courses. The skill that will bring extraordinary value to your workplace is the ability to creatively apply that knowledge.
-The ability to quickly and flexibly pick up new technical skills. People want new employees who are able to quickly pin down the gaps in their understanding, seek out the resources they need to connect it to what they do know, and then assimilate that new skill or concept into their work.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Chemical Engineering Technician job market given the pandemic?
Thomas Junk Ph.D.: The most obvious consequence is a decline in the oil field sector, which used to employ many chemists. This is very noticeable in our area (Lafayette and its vicinity). As a result of this decline, the job market for chemists has dropped from very good to fair. However, most other chemistry jobs have been stable, and our students can still find industrial positions. A major sector for employment has been QA/QC-type lab work. This has not changed because chemistry is not as strongly affected by Covid as many other sectors of our economy are. Fundamentally, the jobs and types of skills needed have not changed very much (except for niche sectors such as oil field and transportation-related products). The cheap oil and gas have provided a boost to industries that depend on affordable petrochemicals (e.g., polymers).
What Chemical Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Junk Ph.D.: It is advisable to gain as much experience as possible, such as an internship. Graduates will usually get some help from their former home departments by way of contact names and referrals, but few take advantage of that. If there is no better option, even volunteer work can help. Of course, the closer the work is related to the student's future career path, the better. Another option is to return to college for an M.S. degree. One year already gets you halfway there, and a degree that provides you with specialized skills is well worth it. In practice, most graduate students in science and engineering find academic scholarships, so it doesn't have to cost you anything. Since most students change institutions for graduate school, their circle of friends and contacts drastically increases.
What general advice would you give to a Chemical Engineering Technician?
Thomas Junk Ph.D.: While this may not exactly answer your question, it is very important to start making connections and to network WELL BEFORE graduation. Internships, volunteer work, membership in professional organizations, leadership activities all help to land a job after graduation. It is very important to continue networking as much as possible. The only true job security is the ability to find another job - it is truly liberating because it enables you to say "no" to your boss, if necessary. Also, I noticed that many graduates do not take advantage of all possible avenues to find employers. It is important to have a good web presence and to sign up on sites such as LinkedIn.
I also highly recommend cultivating ties to one's former institution and college friends. Often, job openings are filled by word of mouth: companies looking for somebody with a specific skill set ask around. A company contacted me for the name of somebody I could recommend for a specific job, but I came to find out that the contact information that I had of the person I wanted to recommend was no longer valid.
It is important to have specific career goals. Many recent graduates and fresh hires let their careers "drift" and have no idea where they want to be ten years from now. Also, always keep looking for jobs! Few jobs are so good that it is impossible to find a better one.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Engineering Technicians?
Dr. Bradley Harris Ph.D.: "In terms of positive impact, I hope that students will graduate with a better sense of the information and technology available to them in the internet age. Faced with the loss of easy access to their professors and other campus resources, they've had to find reliable online sources, watch tutorials, and converse with students across the nation and globe in online communities.
I honestly believed that they would graduate with the same knowledge and skillset in terms of negative impact as in previous years. The legacy of getting a degree during a pandemic will likely be a lower GPA, which could be a factor in securing future employment. I've remarked often this year that the top 2% of students can succeed in any course format. The borderline B and C students have struggled, becoming more like marginal C and D students, due to the challenges posed by learning via hybrid and online modalities."
What experience really stands out on Chemical Engineering Technician resumes?
Dr. Bradley Harris Ph.D.: I always tell my students that any experience at all will help their resume stand out. Many students seem to think that graduating with an engineering degree and a high GPA will be enough to secure gainful employment. This is not the case, and graduates need to demonstrate other qualities to stand out during the hiring process. Internship and co-op opportunities, particularly those of long enough duration to indicate completion of an independent project, are a must. Students also need to be aware that other options are just as valuable, however. For example, wet-lab experience in a faculty research lab also stands out. They hold a leadership position in a student organization with demonstrable success in organizing community outreach and professional development activities.
Steve Opoku-Duah Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry & ChairLipscomb University
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
What type of skills will young Chemical Engineering Technicians need?
Steve Opoku-Duah Ph.D.: Chemistry is a highly analytical and problem-solving discipline with strong connections with everyday human social problems, industry, and the environment. I expect chemistry graduates to develop robust analytical and critical thinking skills, competence in problem-solving, and adaptability at their workplaces.
What experience really stands out on Chemical Engineering Technician resumes?
Steve Opoku-Duah Ph.D.: A chemistry graduate's resume must list his/her achievements in project management, scientific research, internships, published writings, and public presentation.
Dr. Micheal Fultz
Associate Professor of ChemistryWest Virginia State University
What experience really stands out on Chemical Engineering Technician resumes?
Dr. Micheal Fultz: This might come as a surprise, but what stands out isn't necessarily chemistry experience. This isn't universally true, but in some research groups/internships, the students are glorified bottle washers. This is often a topic of discussion during the interview process, just to see what the experience consisted of. Holding a position like a shift supervisor at a restaurant illustrates a lot of leadership skills, especially of people who aren't your peer group. And it tends to illustrate the ability to balance a whole bunch of responsibilities. The resume needs to demonstrate what are core competencies (respect, teamwork, customer focus, innovation) and should be clearly demonstrated in the resume.
How do you envision technology impacting Chemical Engineering Technicians in the next 5 years?
Dr. Micheal Fultz: I think industry and academia will continue to use more remote meetings, the ability to monitor processes and instrumentation from everywhere, AND the expectation your job is more than 40 hours a week. More meetings may be scheduled at the convenience of everyone, which includes evenings.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Chemical Engineering Technicians, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Sanchari Chowdhury Ph.D.: Chemical Engineers are one of the highest-paid professionals out there. The median annual wage for chemical engineers is $108,770, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $66,810 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $176,090. The starting salary could be easily around 75k for a Chemical Engineering BS. See the following website Bls
Tamara Smith Ph.D.
Associate Provost, Professor of Chemical EngineeringTuskegee University
Department of Chemical Engineering
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Engineering Technicians?
Tamara Smith Ph.D.: Career-wise, pharmaceuticals are one field that employs chemical engineers. The scale of the pandemic may lead to additional opportunities in pharmaceuticals and related fields. Socially and emotionally, the coronavirus pandemic will have an enduring impact. Comparisons have been made to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and how they profoundly impacted a generation. The enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to be even more significant. Another point of comparison is the 1918 flu pandemic. It was also a deadly pandemic that many had never talked about until the coronavirus pandemic. Some graduates won't have commencement photos and other memorabilia. Their senior year memories are of quarantine, remote learning, and physical distancing in classrooms. The graduates will be resilient and more robust for the experience, but the impact will be enduring.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Chemical Engineering Technician job market given the pandemic?
John O'Haver Ph.D.: As a chemical engineering professor, we have seen an unexpected slowdown in job openings in the petrochemical industries. Refineries across the nation are operating at a loss, and many are laying off people. On the manufacturing side, though things slowed down, they seem to be picking up again. So, it is somewhat of a mixed bag. Many students choose to go to graduate school to pick up a master's to expand their expertise areas.
What experience really stands out on Chemical Engineering Technician resumes?
Peter Rosado: A while ago, I was a manager in cosmetics manufacturing before I became a professor and was in charge of hiring some new personnel, so I can attest that hiring managers are looking for candidates that are well rounded. That meaning, not just content knowledgeable, but candidates that can hold a conversation, interact with customers, clients, other peers. Knowledge about the world is also a plus. Our company would do business in many countries and also national companies. Every time I would see a resume from a candidate with these qualities, I would pay close attention to it. Being able to interact with others, have leadership skills, and follow-through is a big positive. Problem-solving skills are hopefully acquired by obtaining the chemistry degree, but these other soft skills are acquired by actually being involved in situations outside of the classroom/lab. I recommend aspiring candidates to be involved in local organizations that pertain to their fields, maybe hold officer positions, interact with the public, etc. I encourage them to be involved in their field of study rather than spectating it.
What Chemical Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Rosado: I tell students to call their "gap" year more of a "Developmental" year. If a graduate desires to have such a year, they should focus on their whole as a goal, which means not only developing their professionalism but have other experiences. For example, travel to another country, learn a new language, intern at a company outside of the US, get involved further in the field of study. What stands out in candidates is how they made use of their time, skills that they acquired, and how they could weave them into the position they are applying for. That the candidate has had experiences outside of their comfort zone tells me, as an employer, that they are flexible and can adapt to situations that are new and unpredictable.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Chemical Engineering Technicians to find work opportunities?
Kristine Horvat Ph.D.: One of the best parts of being a chemical engineer is that you can work in a large variety of fields. Most industries, including fuels, food, consumer products, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, materials, electronics, environmental service, and general chemicals, need chemical engineers. As a result, there are many locations all over the U.S., where graduates can find jobs.