Become A Chemical Technician
Where do you want to work?
Working As A Chemical Technician
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Getting Information
- Interacting With Computers
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Repetitive
Stressful
$49,720
Average Salary
What Does A Chemical Technician Do
Chemical technicians use laboratory instruments and techniques to help chemists and chemical engineers research, develop, produce, and test chemical products and processes.
DutiesChemical technicians typically do the following:
- Monitor chemical processes and test the quality of products to make sure that they meet standards and specifications
- Set up and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment
- Troubleshoot production problems or malfunctioning instruments
- Prepare chemical solutions
- Conduct chemical and physical experiments, tests, and analyses for a variety of purposes, including research and development
- Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses
- Prepare technical reports, graphs, and charts, and give presentations that summarize their results
Most chemical technicians work on teams. Typically, they are led by chemists or chemical engineers who direct their work and evaluate their results. For example, some chemical technicians help chemists and other scientists develop new medicines. Others help chemical engineers develop more efficient production processes.
Chemical technicians’ duties and titles often depend on where they work. The following are the two main types of chemical technicians:
Laboratory technicians typically help scientists conduct experiments and analyses. Often, they prepare chemical solutions, test products for quality and performance, and analyze compounds produced through complex chemical processes. Chemical laboratory technicians may analyze samples of air and water to monitor pollution levels. Laboratory technicians usually set up and maintain laboratory equipment and instruments.
Processing technicians monitor the quality of products and processes at chemical manufacturing facilities. For example, they adjust processing equipment to improve production efficiency and output. They also collect samples from production batches, which then are tested for impurities and other defects. In addition, processing technicians test product packaging to make sure that it is well designed, will hold up well, and will have a limited impact on the environment.
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How To Become A Chemical Technician
Chemical technicians need an associate’s degree or 2 years of postsecondary education for most jobs. Most chemical technicians also receive on-the-job training.
EducationFor most jobs, chemical technicians need an associate’s degree in applied science or chemical technology or 2 years of postsecondary education.
Many technical and community colleges offer programs in applied sciences or chemical technology. Students typically take classes in mathematics, physics, and biology, in addition to chemistry courses. Coursework in statistics and computer science is also useful, because technicians routinely do data analysis and modeling.
One of the most important aspects of any degree program is laboratory time. Laboratory coursework provides students with hands-on experience in conducting experiments and using various instruments and techniques properly. Many schools also offer internships and cooperative-education programs that help students gain employment experience while attending school.
Important QualitiesAbility to use technology. Chemical technicians must be able to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments. They also may need to adjust the equipment to ensure that experiments and processes are running properly and safely.
Analytical skills. Chemical technicians must be able to conduct scientific experiments with accuracy and precision.
Communication skills. Chemical technicians must explain their work to scientists and engineers, and to workers who may not have a technical background. They often write reports to communicate their results.
Critical-thinking skills. Chemical technicians reach their conclusions through sound reasoning and judgment.
Interpersonal skills. Chemical technicians must be able to work well with others as part of a team because they often work with scientists, engineers, and other technicians.
Observation skills. Chemical technicians must carefully monitor chemical experiments and processes. They must keep complete records of their work, including conditions, procedures, and results.
Time-management skills. Chemical technicians often work on multiple tasks and projects at the same time and must be able to prioritize their assignments.
TrainingMost chemical technicians receive on-the-job training. Typically, experienced technicians teach new employees proper methods and procedures for conducting experiments and operating equipment. The length of training varies with the new employee’s level of experience and education and the industry the worker is employed in.
AdvancementTechnicians who have a bachelor’s degree may advance to positions as chemical engineers or chemists. For more information, see the profiles on chemical engineers and chemists and materials scientists.
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Chemical Technician jobs
Chemical Technician Career Paths
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Senior Laboratory Technician 5.2 years
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Chemical Processor 4.6 years
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Senior Quality Control Technician 4.5 years
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Chemical Laboratory Technician 4.2 years
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Chemical Technician 4.0 years
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Process Technician 3.9 years
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Lead Laboratory Technician 3.8 years
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Quality Control Technician 3.1 years
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Chemical Analyst 3.0 years
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Analytical Laboratory Technician 3.0 years
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Analytical Technician 2.9 years
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Chemical Engineer 2.9 years
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Compounding Technician 2.7 years
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Packaging Technician 2.6 years
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Laboratory Technician 12.5%
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Technician 8.2%
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Machine Operator 7.6%
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Internship 7.3%
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Chemical Operator 6.5%
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Research Assistant 5.7%
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Laboratory Assistant 5.6%
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Sales Associate 5.1%
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Chemist 4.5%
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Supervisor 4.2%
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Assistant Manager 4.2%
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Material Handler 3.9%
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Cashier 3.9%
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Forklift Operator 3.7%
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Manager 2.6%
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Operator 2.6%
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Equipment Operator 2.5%
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Laboratory Technician 11.3%
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Chemist 9.2%
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Technician 8.9%
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Machine Operator 5.6%
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Chemical Operator 5.1%
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Material Handler 4.8%
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Analytical Chemist 4.6%
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Operator 4.5%
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Manager 4.1%
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Supervisor 3.8%
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Research Technician 3.8%
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Sales Associate 3.7%
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Research Assistant 3.5%
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Process Technician 3.5%
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Quality Control 3.3%
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Team Leader 3.2%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Chemical Technician
Top Careers After Chemical Technician
Chemical Technician Demographics
Gender
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Male
75.7% -
Female
22.7% -
Unknown
1.6%
Ethnicity
-
White
76.4% -
Hispanic or Latino
13.6% -
Asian
7.9% -
Unknown
1.6% -
Black or African American
0.6%
Languages Spoken
-
Spanish
56.9% -
German
10.3% -
French
6.9% -
Vietnamese
3.4% -
Japanese
3.4% -
Polish
3.4% -
Portuguese
1.7% -
Khmer
1.7% -
Hindi
1.7% -
Occidental
1.7% -
Russian
1.7% -
Carrier
1.7% -
Bengali
1.7% -
Dakota
1.7% -
Italian
1.7%
Chemical Technician
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Chemical Technician Education
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University of Phoenix
10.6% -
Rochester Institute of Technology
9.2% -
Trident Technical College
5.6% -
Temple University
5.6% -
University of Texas at San Antonio
5.6% -
Texas A&M University
5.6% -
Monroe Community College
5.6% -
University of Houston
5.6% -
Iowa State University
5.6% -
Brazosport College
4.9% -
Washington State University
4.2% -
University of Rochester
3.5% -
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
3.5% -
University of Cincinnati
3.5% -
San Jose State University
3.5% -
Kean University
3.5% -
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
3.5% -
West Virginia University
3.5% -
Corning Community College
3.5% -
University of Pittsburgh -
3.5% -
Chemistry 24.3%
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Biology 12.0%
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Business 11.8%
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Chemical Engineering 8.5%
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Criminal Justice 3.9%
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Chemical Technology 3.3%
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General Studies 2.5%
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Computer Science 2.1%
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Management 2.0%
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Psychology 2.0%
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Nursing 1.8%
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Biotechnology 1.8%
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Cosmetology 1.6%
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Bachelors
38.7% -
Other
28.4% -
Associate
13.4% -
Masters
10.4% -
Certificate
5.5% -
Doctorate
2.1% -
Diploma
1.1% -
License
0.5%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Chemical Technician
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Chemical Technician Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | Apple Inc. | Cupertino, CA | Nov 04, 2013 | $72,000 - $92,000 |
| Chemical Technicians | BASF Catalyst LLC | Iselin, NJ | Dec 22, 2009 | $66,845 |
| Chemical Technicians | A4 Scientific Inc. | The Woodlands, TX | May 27, 2011 | $62,754 |
| Chemical Technicians | Amgen Inc. | Thousand Oaks, CA | Mar 23, 2010 | $62,640 |
| Chemical Technicians | General Research Laboratory, Inc. | Gaithersburg, MD | Nov 09, 2007 | $61,901 |
| Chemical Technicians | SGS North America Inc. | Fairfield, NJ | Sep 03, 2010 | $60,736 |
| Chemical Technician | Chantilly Biopharma LLC | Chantilly, VA | Aug 20, 2011 | $60,000 |
| Chemical Technician | Chantilly Biopharma LLC | Chantilly, VA | Aug 15, 2011 | $60,000 |
| Chemical Technicians | Wescor, Inc. | Bothell, WA | Dec 08, 2010 | $59,144 |
| Senior Chemical Technician | Dimensional Merchandising Inc. | Wharton, NJ | Dec 26, 2013 | $56,500 |
| Chemical Technicians | Bio-Pharm Inc. | Levittown, PA | Dec 23, 2011 | $56,000 |
| Chemical Technicians | Bio-Pharm Inc. | Levittown, PA | Dec 30, 2011 | $56,000 |
| Chemical Technicians | Bio-Pharm Inc. | Levittown, PA | Jan 05, 2012 | $56,000 |
| Chemical Technicians | Medimmune, LLC | Gaithersburg, MD | Nov 16, 2012 | $55,765 |
| Chemical Technician | Ceres Nanosciences, Inc. | Manassas, VA | Sep 15, 2014 | $47,000 - $53,000 |
| Chemical Technician | GCC Rio Grande, Inc. | Tijeras, NM | Sep 10, 2015 | $46,700 |
| Chemical Technician | Nextech Materials, Ltd. | Centerville, OH | Apr 11, 2008 | $46,700 |
| Chemical Technician | Frontage Laboratories, Inc. | Exton, PA | Jan 09, 2016 | $46,000 |
| Chemical Technicians | Arnold Electronics, Inc. | Placentia, CA | Feb 11, 2010 | $45,914 |
| Chemical Technicians | The University of Akron | Akron, OH | Jan 20, 2011 | $45,000 |
| Chemical Technicians | Advanced Technology Laboratories | Las Vegas, NV | Jul 11, 2014 | $43,784 |
| Chemical Technician | Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | Sep 16, 2010 | $43,000 |
| Chemical Technicians | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY | Jun 09, 2010 | $37,170 |
| Chemical Technician | LH Sawyer Paving Company, Inc. | Salem, VA | Oct 01, 2014 | $37,149 |
| Chemical Technician | Analytical Laboratories In Anaheim, Inc. | Brea, CA | May 01, 2012 | $35,880 |
| Chemical Technician | Delfin Group USA LLC | North Charleston, SC | Oct 01, 2009 | $35,568 |
| Chemical Technicians | American Circuit Technology, Inc. | Anaheim, CA | Jul 26, 2010 | $35,479 |
| Chemical Technician | M&R Corporate Services, LLC | Livonia, MI | Aug 15, 2016 | $35,270 |
| Chemical Technician | Qualimax, LLC | Ridgefield, NJ | Sep 06, 2014 | $35,000 |
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Top Skills for A Chemical Technician
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Top Chemical Technician Skills
- Lab Equipment
- Safety Procedures
- Raw Materials
- Operated Expedite machines in process of chip synthesis, QC lab equipment, and devices.
- Served as plant trainer for new employees, including operations, safety procedures, and OSHA requirements.
- Managed daily operations in the continuous process by charging raw materials in batch form to produce the finish product.
- Performed instrumentation maintenance of all analytical equipment.
- Calibrated equipment (electronic balance, pH meter, pipette, timepiece, thermometer).
Top Chemical Technician Employers
Emcure Pharmaceuticals, USA Inc.
Navajo Manufacturing Co., Inc.
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Chemical Technicians - Career Profile
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