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What is a chemical laboratory technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dan Little Ph.D.

Chemical laboratory technicians are professionals that have been put in charge of supporting chemists in a laboratory or similar settings. As a chemical laboratory technician, you are expected to perform every laboratory experiment in compliance with established regulations. Also, you are responsible for identification and troubleshooting equipment issues when and if they arise. You must ensure that all laboratory tools and equipment are maintained in safe, good, and clean conditions.

More importantly, you must follow preventive maintenance measures and report to maintenance personnel about any equipment or tool malfunctions and repairs. It is also a part of your responsibility to order and stock the laboratory with instruments and supplies, and you must generate regular reports concerning laboratory experiments.

To be a chemical laboratory technician, you must hold at least a bachelor's or associate degree in either biology, chemical engineering, or chemistry. An average chemical laboratory technician earns $39,260 per year.

What general advice would you give to a chemical laboratory technician?

Dan Little Ph.D.Dan Little Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Ohio Dominican University

Due to the pandemic, it will likely be more complicated than usual to find a job right away in the current economic situation. Companies are probably weighing the pros and cons of remaining open at all right now, so the prospect of filling vacant positions is secondary. But don't panic! Keep in touch with as many contacts as possible. Personal connections can be the best path to unexpected career opportunities.
ScoreChemical Laboratory TechnicianUS Average
Salary
3.2

Avg. Salary $41,087

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.9

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 8.44%

Black or African American 7.78%

Hispanic or Latino 16.62%

Unknown 4.28%

White 62.47%

Gender

female 39.17%

male 60.83%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
6.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Chemical laboratory technician career paths

Key steps to become a chemical laboratory technician

  1. Explore chemical laboratory technician education requirements

    Most common chemical laboratory technician degrees

    Bachelor's

    60.2 %

    Associate

    24.1 %

    Master's

    5.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific chemical laboratory technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Lab Equipment12.71%
    Routine Maintenance4.44%
    Chemical Analysis4.37%
    Analytical Methods4.07%
    Chemical Processes3.95%
  3. Complete relevant chemical laboratory technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New chemical laboratory technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a chemical laboratory technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real chemical laboratory technician resumes.
  4. Research chemical laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

    • Manage daily production schedule, monitor machine operation, addressed any etching machinery problems.
    • Utilize instrumental and titration analysis on various chemical baths to maintain control of processes and insure product quality.
    • Keep accurate records and report results as per ISO documentation requirements.
    • Perform test on in-process products using UV and HPLC instruments including cleaning equipment verification tests.
  5. Prepare your chemical laboratory technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your chemical laboratory technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a chemical laboratory technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable chemical laboratory technician resume templates

    Build a professional chemical laboratory technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your chemical laboratory technician resume.
    Chemical Laboratory Technician Resume
    Chemical Laboratory Technician Resume
    Chemical Laboratory Technician Resume
    Chemical Laboratory Technician Resume
    Chemical Laboratory Technician Resume
    Chemical Laboratory Technician Resume
    Chemical Laboratory Technician Resume
    Chemical Laboratory Technician Resume
    Chemical Laboratory Technician Resume
  6. Apply for chemical laboratory technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a chemical laboratory technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first chemical laboratory technician job

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Average chemical laboratory technician salary

The average chemical laboratory technician salary in the United States is $41,087 per year or $20 per hour. Chemical laboratory technician salaries range between $32,000 and $51,000 per year.

Average chemical laboratory technician salary
$41,087 Yearly
$19.75 hourly

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Chemical laboratory technician reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

verification of scale and water bath . take samples . analyse

Cons

nothing really..


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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Skill level required does not equate with salary offered - should be paid more.


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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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