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Chemical laboratory technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a chemical laboratory technician. Chemical laboratory technicians usually study chemistry, biology, or chemical engineering. 60% of chemical laboratory technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,190 real chemical laboratory technician resumes to see exactly what chemical laboratory technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for chemical laboratory technicians are the University of South Carolina - Columbia and the University of South Carolina - Columbia.
There are also many online chemical laboratory technician courses to help get the education required to be a chemical laboratory technician.
There are certain chemical laboratory technician certifications that you should consider. These chemical laboratory technician certifications include Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and Certified Chemical Technician (CCT).
What education do you need to become a chemical laboratory technician?
What degree do you need to be a chemical laboratory technician?
- Bachelor's, 60%
- Associate, 24%
- Master's, 6%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a chemical laboratory technician?
Most common colleges for chemical laboratory technicians
| Chemical laboratory technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of South Carolina - Columbia | 10.34% |
| Florida State University | 6.90% |
| Northern Illinois University | 6.90% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 5.75% |
| Central State University | 5.75% |
Best majors for chemical laboratory technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 29.1% |
| 2 | Biology | 24.1% |
| 3 | Chemical Engineering | 8.3% |
| 4 | Business | 6.9% |
| 5 | Chemical Technology | 5.8% |
Best colleges for chemical laboratory technicians
The best colleges for chemical laboratory technicians are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.
A chemical laboratory technician 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 technicians. 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 technicians.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
5. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
6. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
7. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
8. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
9. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
20 best online courses for chemical laboratory technicians
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6. Transmission electron microscopy for materials science
Learn about the fundamentals of transmission electron microscopy in materials sciences: you will be able to understand papers where TEM has been used and have the necessary theoretical basis for taking a practical training on the TEM. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the field of materials science. For an instrument operated by a single user, modern TEM provides an analytical platform with unsurpassed versatility, giving access to...
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10. Statistical Molecular Thermodynamics
This introductory physical chemistry course examines the connections between molecular properties and the behavior of macroscopic chemical systems...
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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,...
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In this foundational Pharmacy Technician Career Training Specialization, students will take four courses to master the fundamentals of a career in pharmacy. The first two courses teach how to communicate and engage professionally in any healthcare setting and the necessary knowledge of human anatomy and physiology required for any medical role. Next, students dive into two pharmacy-related courses - Pharmacy Technician Essentials and Pharmacy Dosages & Prescriptions Essentials - to round out...
15. Aromatherapy-Make Your Own Chemical Free Cleaning Products
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16. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
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17. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS
Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...
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Top 10 most affordable universities for chemical laboratory technicians
The most affordable schools for chemical laboratory technicians are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for chemical laboratory technicians 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 technicians.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
9. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,796
Cost of attendance
24,514
10. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for chemical laboratory technicians
The hardest universities for chemical laboratory technicians to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for chemical laboratory technicians 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 technicians 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for chemical laboratory technicians
The easiest schools for chemical laboratory technicians to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and notre dame college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a chemical laboratory technician 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 technicians.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
3. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
4. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
5. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
6. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
7. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
10. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
Average chemical laboratory technician salary by education level
| Chemical laboratory technician education level | Chemical laboratory technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $40,746 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $40,937 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $41,399 |
Chemical laboratory technician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025