Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Chemistry laboratory technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a chemistry laboratory technician. Chemistry laboratory technicians usually study chemistry, biology, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 74% of chemistry laboratory technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,172 real chemistry laboratory technician resumes to see exactly what chemistry laboratory technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for chemistry laboratory technicians are the University of California - Davis and the University of California - Davis.
There are also many online chemistry laboratory technician courses to help get the education required to be a chemistry laboratory technician.
There are certain chemistry laboratory technician certifications that you should consider. These chemistry laboratory technician certifications include Specialist in Chemistry (SC(ASCP)) and Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
What education do you need to become a chemistry laboratory technician?
What degree do you need to be a chemistry laboratory technician?
- Bachelor's, 74%
- Associate, 15%
- Master's, 6%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a chemistry laboratory technician?
Most common colleges for chemistry laboratory technicians
| Chemistry laboratory technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of California - Davis | 9.73% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 9.73% |
| California State University - San Bernardino | 7.96% |
| Drexel University | 5.31% |
| Baylor University | 5.31% |
Best majors for chemistry laboratory technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 32.8% |
| 2 | Biology | 28.5% |
| 3 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 7.3% |
| 4 | Chemical Engineering | 4.0% |
| 5 | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 3.1% |
Best colleges for chemistry laboratory technicians
The best colleges for chemistry laboratory technicians are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Northwestern University.
A chemistry 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 chemistry 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 chemistry 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 chemistry laboratory technicians
Advertising disclosure
1. Chemical Biology
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. Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions
This is an introductory course for students with limited background in chemistry; basic concepts such as atomic and molecular structure, solutions, phases of matter, and quantitative problem solving will be emphasized with the goal of preparing students for further study in chemistry...
3. Complete General Chemistry 20+ hours of lectures & examples
Master General Chemistry in 4 weeks by solving examples & problems! Rahsoft Chemical Engineering Department RAHCH101...
4. Introduction to Cheminformatics and medicinal chemistry
Understand the underlying chemistry of drug development and use free softwares to analyze molecules...
5. Materials in Oral Health
The drive for development of new and novel oral biomaterials has never been more important with many people using oral biomaterials today and seeing their benefits in restoring and improving their oral health for a more enjoyable lifestyle. The unique properties of biomaterials such as titanium (Ti), zirconia (ZrO2) and various polymeric materials have made them materials of choice in oral health: dental implants, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and even regenerative medicine. Oral biomaterials...
6. Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building
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...
7. Chemistry 101 - Part 1 Principles of Chemistry
An introductory course for anybody who wants to study chemistry - either towards future pathways or just for fun!...
8. Dr. K's Complete First Semester General Chemistry I Course
A Course to Prepare You for College Level General Chemistry...
9. Statistical Molecular Thermodynamics
This introductory physical chemistry course examines the connections between molecular properties and the behavior of macroscopic chemical systems...
10. Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 2
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...
11. Organic Chemistry: Spectroscopy Master Class
Gain confidence in NMR (1H and 13C), IR, and MS with guided practice problems...
12. Become a Microbiology Laboratory Technician
Microbiology...
13. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 2
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...
14. Process/Chemical Engineering - BOOTCAMP 2021
The only course with over 10 hours practical knowledge about main process equipment Design, Control and Safety...
15. Become a Pharmacy Technician
A Video Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam...
16. 5G O-RAN (Open RAN): Architecture, Procedures And Use Cases
Path to O-RAN, RAN Functional Splits, Split 7.2x for O-RAN, O-RAN Virtualization, Non & Near RT RIC, Slicing in O-RAN...
17. Unit Operations in Chemical Engineering
Learn the most important Unit Operations in Chemical Plants...
18. Fundamentals of Plastics and Polymers
Polymer chemistry, properties, processing, testing and applications...
19. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert
Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...
20. HR Analytics using MS Excel for Human Resource Management
Use Excel for HR Analytics, calculate HR metrics, build HR dashboards & ML models for Human Resource & People Analytics...
Top 10 most affordable universities for chemistry laboratory technicians
The most affordable schools for chemistry 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 chemistry 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 chemistry 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. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
6. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
10. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for chemistry laboratory technicians
The hardest universities for chemistry laboratory technicians to get into are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for chemistry 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 chemistry 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
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. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
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. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for chemistry laboratory technicians
The easiest schools for chemistry laboratory technicians to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, wayland baptist university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a chemistry 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 chemistry laboratory technicians.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
6. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
7. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
8. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
9. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
10. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
Average chemistry laboratory technician salary by education level
| Chemistry laboratory technician education level | Chemistry laboratory technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $39,757 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $39,933 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $40,359 |
Chemistry laboratory technician education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for chemistry laboratory technician jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025