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Chemical laboratory assistant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a chemical laboratory assistant. Chemical laboratory assistants usually study chemistry, biology, or chemical engineering. 63% of chemical laboratory assistants hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 577 real chemical laboratory assistant resumes to see exactly what chemical laboratory assistant education sections show.

The most common colleges for chemical laboratory assistants are the University of Akron and the University of Akron.

There are also many online chemical laboratory assistant courses to help get the education required to be a chemical laboratory assistant.

There are certain chemical laboratory assistant certifications that you should consider. These chemical laboratory assistant certifications include Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and Certified Chemical Technician (CCT).

What education do you need to become a chemical laboratory assistant?

What degree do you need to be a chemical laboratory assistant?

The most common degree for chemical laboratory assistants is bachelor's degree, with 63% of chemical laboratory assistants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 19% and associate degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 63%
  • Associate, 19%
  • Master's, 8%
  • High School Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a chemical laboratory assistant?

You should major in chemistry to become a chemical laboratory assistant. 20% of chemical laboratory assistants major in chemistry. Other common majors for a chemical laboratory assistant include biology and chemical engineering.

Most common colleges for chemical laboratory assistants

Chemical laboratory assistants often get their degrees at University of Akron, Wright State University, and Youngstown State University. Here are the most common colleges for chemical laboratory assistants in the US based on their resumes.
Chemical laboratory assistant common collegePercentages
University of Akron13.79%
Wright State University12.07%
Youngstown State University6.90%
Florida Institute of Technology5.17%
Wayne State University5.17%

Best majors for chemical laboratory assistants

RankMajorPercentages
1Chemistry20.5%
2Biology12.4%
3Chemical Engineering11.6%
4Business8.1%
5Criminal Justice7.7%

Best colleges for chemical laboratory assistants

The best colleges for chemical laboratory assistants are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

A chemical laboratory assistant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for chemical laboratory assistants. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become chemical laboratory assistants.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. Princeton University

Princeton, NJ • Private

In-state tuition

$50,340

Enrollment

5,301

5. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

6. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

9. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

10. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$53,391

Enrollment

8,568

20 best online courses for chemical laboratory assistants

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1. Chemical Biology

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Chemical biology is a burgeoning field that has rapidly risen to prominence. This surge of interest has been fuelled by chemical biology’s applicability to understanding critical processes in live cells or model organisms in real time. This success has arisen because chemical biology straddles a nexus between chemistry, biology, and physics. Thus, chemical biology can harness rapid chemistry to observe or perturb biological processes, that are in turn reported using physical assays, all in an...

2. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 2

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An appreciation of thermodynamics is required to become a chemical and biomolecular engineer. Thermodynamics can assess the viability of a process and is one of the curriculum's most essential topics. The principles are utilized in following engineering courses (kinetics, mass transfer, design, materials) and are applicable to numerous engineering disciplines. The increased emphasis on energy usage and transformation as a result of rising demand, diminishing supply, and global warming...

3. Unit Operations in Chemical Engineering

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5. Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building

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In the Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building specialization, you learn about healthier building materials, exploring subjects ranging from classification of toxic chemicals to new green innovations. You start by investigating the intersection of building materials and human health. Then, you learn how chemistry and toxicology affect the built world. Next, you examine design specifications from a healthier materials perspective. Finally, you employ cutting-edge practices to execute a...

6. Materials Science for Advanced Technological Applications

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This specialization extends upon the initial introduction specialization, and like the other specialization, it introduces a limited number of new materials science and engineering concepts. Presentations are at the concept level without being marred in heavy mathematics. Topics in this specialization topic include strengthening of metal, polymers, ceramic materials, and composite. Some of the position titles that may benefit from this course include Materials Engineer, Chemical Engineer,...

7. Complete General Chemistry 20+ hours of lectures & examples

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9. Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 2

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Learn about novel sensing tools that make use of nanotechnology to screen, detect and monitor various events in personal or professional life. Together, we will lay the groundwork for infinite innovative applications, starting from diagnosis and treatments of diseases, continuing with quality control of goods and environmental aspects, and ending with monitoring security issues. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Nanotechnology and nanosensors are broad, interdisciplinary areas that...

10. Statistical Molecular Thermodynamics

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This introductory physical chemistry course examines the connections between molecular properties and the behavior of macroscopic chemical systems...

11. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)

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Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...

12. Aspen Plus V11 Masterclass: From beginner to advanced user

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13. Aromatherapy-Make Your Own Chemical Free Cleaning Products

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14. Diploma in Luxury Facial, Facial Machines, Chemical Peeling

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15. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

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16. OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy and Lock Out / Tag Out

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OSHA required training under 29 CFR 1910 and 1926...

17. Petrochemicals - Complete Guide to Process & Industry

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18. Introduction to Cheminformatics and medicinal chemistry

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19. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

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20. Flow of fluids through piping systems , valves and pumps

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Learn to size valves & piping systems, calculate pressure drop, flow of liquids & gases through pipe , fittings & valves...

Top 10 most affordable universities for chemical laboratory assistants

The most affordable schools for chemical laboratory assistants are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and new mexico institute of mining and technology.

If the best universities for chemical laboratory assistants are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for chemical laboratory assistants.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

9. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for chemical laboratory assistants

The hardest universities for chemical laboratory assistants to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for chemical laboratory assistants are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for chemical laboratory assistants based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

6. Princeton University

Princeton, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,503

7. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,566

8. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for chemical laboratory assistants

The easiest schools for chemical laboratory assistants to get into are D'Youville College, mount saint mary's university, and texas a&m; university - kingsville.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a chemical laboratory assistant without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for chemical laboratory assistants.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

5. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

6. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

7. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

8. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

9. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

10. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

Average chemical laboratory assistant salary by education level

Chemical laboratory assistants with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $37,980 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, chemical laboratory assistants earn a median annual income of $37,092 compared to $36,728 for chemical laboratory assistants with an High School Diploma degree.
Chemical laboratory assistant education levelChemical laboratory assistant salary
High School Diploma or Less$36,728
Bachelor's Degree$37,092
Some College/ Associate Degree$37,980

Chemical laboratory assistant education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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