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Job outlook for chemistry laboratory technicians in the United States
Chemistry laboratory technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected chemistry laboratory technician job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 2,700 new jobs for chemistry laboratory technicians are projected over the next decade.
Chemistry laboratory technician salaries have increased 9% for chemistry laboratory technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 22,270 chemistry laboratory technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 43,043 active chemistry laboratory technician job openings in the US.
The average chemistry laboratory technician salary is $40,072.
Are chemistry laboratory technician jobs in demand?
Chemistry laboratory technician job and salary trends over time
Chemistry laboratory technician jobs over time
Chemistry laboratory technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,270 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 24,509 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 25,385 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 25,285 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 24,918 | 0.01% |
Average chemistry laboratory technician salary over time
Chemistry laboratory technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,072 | $19.27 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $39,622 | $19.05 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $38,737 | $18.62 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $38,029 | $18.28 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | $36,871 | $17.73 | +2.6% |
Chemistry laboratory technician jobs by state
Most common states for chemistry laboratory technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,627 | 24% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 181 | 21% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 270 | 20% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 139 | 19% |
| 5 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 559 | 18% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 133 | 18% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 109 | 17% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 893 | 16% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 925 | 15% |
| 10 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 103 | 15% |
| 11 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 182 | 14% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 148 | 14% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,169 | 13% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 977 | 13% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 701 | 12% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 378 | 12% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 230 | 12% |
| 18 | Delaware | 961,939 | 119 | 12% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 68 | 12% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 381 | 11% |
Most common cities for chemistry laboratory technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chaska | 1 | 4% | $43,239 |
| 2 | Maryland Heights | 1 | 4% | $37,516 |
| 3 | Kennesaw | 1 | 3% | $32,738 |
| 4 | Merrillville | 1 | 3% | $32,358 |
| 5 | Mundelein | 1 | 3% | $42,856 |
| 6 | Birmingham | 3 | 1% | $36,288 |
| 7 | Bossier City | 1 | 1% | $36,733 |
| 8 | Wilmington | 1 | 1% | $46,359 |
| 9 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $45,863 |
| 10 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $39,444 |
| 11 | Saint Louis | 1 | 0% | $37,517 |
Chemistry Laboratory Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of chemistry laboratory technician experts
Northern Michigan University
Queens University of Charlotte
California State University - East Bay
Northern Kentucky University
University of Illinois at Springfield
College of Idaho
SUNY at Albany
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ohio University Southern
Wake Forest University
University of Utah
Meredith College
Boston College
Point Loma Nazarene University
Kettering University
Harding University
Pennsylvania State University
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA
Assistant Professor / MLS Program DirectorNorthern Michigan University
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, And Treatment Professions
What general advice would you give to a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: Experience. I have found through my time in the realm that an experienced lab tech is going to be highly sought after and henceforth will have optimal pay opportunities. As the word implies, experience can only be achieved through 'time in the lab' which means you have to put in your time to gather that resume boosting element, experience. Once that happens, then even more doors open up in the profession.
What Chemistry Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: The skills that will be required in the lab tech milieu over the next 3-5 years are the same ones that are necessary now, which is what makes the lab tech profession so lucrative. Foundational laboratory skills are a must now and will be must in the future. Once the aspiring lab tech learns and masters the foundational work, such as lab math, pipetting, dilution schemes, titrating, proper glassware use and application, basic spectrophotometry, transformational weights and measures, microscopy, etc. then they'll be readily adaptable for employment in any laboratory setting.
What will help Chemistry Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: I would highly recommend that the newly graduated lab tech does not limit themself to a specific location or a specific vocation. The places to work and the types of jobs available are nearly limitless. If one thinks outside of the box, outside of the mainstream lab tech opportunities, they'll find a whole host of other intriguing possibilities. So, do not limit yourself, the world is your oyster, .......so to speak.
Justin Moss
Assistant ProfessorQueens University of Charlotte
Chemistry
What general advice would you give to a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Justin Moss: Chemistry is a good profession to enter due to its evolving and interdisciplinary nature, job demand, competitive salaries, and rewarding work.
What Chemistry Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Justin Moss: Likes: Ability to contribute positively to world advances, rewarding & intellectually stimulating work, ability to be creative. Dislikes: Investment of time to earn an advanced degree, continuous on-the-job training, amount of math involved.
What will help Chemistry Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Justin Moss: The primary duties of a research chemist include designing and conducting experimental procedures, preparing solutions, using specialized equipment, data analytics software, observing safety protocols, reporting work in written documents, and communicating orally in group meetings. Work is done independently and in a team setting.
What general advice would you give to a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Monika Sommerhalter: Know your worth and look for opportunities to grow. Set yourself professional goals, whether it is a large goal (such as getting a promotion) or smaller goals (attending a workshop to master a new skill) on an ongoing basis. Keep your resume up-to-date so that it is easier for you to apply for new job opportunities within or outside of your company.
What Chemistry Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Monika Sommerhalter: Expand and take care of your professional network throughout your career. Start by keeping in touch with your peers and mentors from university. Personal connections can help you find more job openings and professional development opportunities. If you surround yourself with a supportive professional network, your career path will also feel more rewarding.
What will help Chemistry Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Monika Sommerhalter: The skill of learning itself! Being able to acquire new skills will become more important as technological progress speeds up. With more automation and machine assisted analysis, more data will be generated. The ability to distinguish relevant and meaningful information from superfluous data without getting overwhelmed will therefore also matter. Communication skills will always be relevant. Research and production teams need group members who can communicate their findings in an efficient and clear manner. With respect to Chemistry: Most analytical chemistry techniques, for example High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), will remain important for many years to come, but there will always be extensions and new developments, such as Ultra(HPLC) and new chromatography materials and detection methods. Having a solid foundation and to understand the basic principles of essential laboratory techniques in Chemistry combined with a curious and open mind to appreciate or even come-up with novel developments is a great recipe for success!
What general advice would you give to a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Mark Griep: Beginning chemists do the sorts of things that other scientists do. They start by learning the protocols for the most common procedures. Once they have demonstrated they can do the procedures reliably, they use those procedures to run tests on the materials that the company produces. Their results are needed to show that everything is safe and that the products meet the quality standards set by the company and government. They summarize their findings by writing technical reports and presenting them to their supervisors.
What will help Chemistry Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Patrick Hare: Facility with using and interpreting AI results is an obvious growing need. Many of those skills are just applied analytical and critical thinking. The trick will be to do the applying and keep them fresh. Understanding how the systems work will also be useful.
Changqing Chen Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Changqing Chen Ph.D.: 1. Analytical skills and communication skills will become more important since they are harder to be replaced by AI. 2. If interested, try to learn some information on AI and machine learning, which will be used more in chemistry in the near future on design and synthesis of new molecules/materials, environmental chemistry, green chemistry, and chemistry education.
What Chemistry Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Changqing Chen Ph.D.: 1. A chemistry degree provides many opportunities for a wide variety of careers. Jobs can be found in big chemical or pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, small startup companies, as well as educational institutions. Sometimes, if you think outside the box, you can find other opportunities, such as some non-lab jobs (sales, technical support, consulting firms, etc.). If it is hard to find a permanent job you like, start with a temporary position, which might turn into a permanent position if your performance is excellent. 2. You do not need to match exactly what you learned in college with your job responsibilities. Be ready to apply the problem-solving skills you learned in new field/project. 3. Be curious, always eager to learn new skills/knowledge. 4. Be honest, learn from your mistakes.
Marc Klingshirn Ph.D.
Associate Professor of ChemistryUniversity of Illinois at Springfield
Chemistry
What Chemistry Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marc Klingshirn Ph.D.: People are drawn to science for various reasons, but many enjoy science-related fields due to the discovery aspect. Science continually to leads to new questions and subsequent answers that help us understand the world around us, which can be exciting. At the same time, that discovery leads to constant change, which can lead to frustration. We tend to like clear-cut answers that are black and white. That doesn't always happen in science. That ambiguity then has tendencies to make those outside of the profession question the validity of science, which in turn is frustrating to those who are actively engaged because they feel their work is deemed false.
What will help Chemistry Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Marc Klingshirn Ph.D.: This will obviously depend on the job itself, but if we consider a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, they will most likely be performing routine sample analysis using established protocols and procedures. Relevant data analysis will also most likely be required. Following necessary safety procedures and environmental guidelines will also be essential as some materials may be hazardous and because of relevant environmental regulations and handling needs.
What general advice would you give to a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Bonnie Cantrell: Chemistry is the backbone to most protocols for the material, medical, and biological sciences.
Without chemistry, we would not know many of the things we know today. It will always be relevant in
helping change the scientific world as we know it. The advancements in science technology alone makes
chemistry today more exciting than ever. Just with balances from 1980's to now, we went from only
being able to weigh with counter balance weights to having a digital scale read accurately to 0.001
milligrams. Chemistry used to be more theoretical and only explainable from what we could make react
together. Now we have technology that can visualize the chemical composition and structure allowing
for us to create solutions to problems we could only dream of before. Whether you are wanting danger,
to save lives, or to help make this planet a better place to live, being a chemist can help you fuel your
passions.
What Chemistry Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bonnie Cantrell: When I ask students and faculty what they enjoy about being a chemist, their answers are
always related to enjoying the science. This includes getting to work with lasers, making drugs,
exploding things, setting things on fire, solving problems, explaining the unexplainable, and never
knowing what you are going to find out, but enjoying the adventure. There is a thrill to science that can
be coupled with any moral cause. Those that get to choose their research have even more freedom to
structure what they do to their passions. Making the world a better place and having fun while doing it
is a goal for a lot of scientists. Being a chemist allows thousands of people to do that every day making
chemistry a very rewarding career.
With any job it is usually the work load and/or regulations that make the job less enjoyable.
Working with chemicals can be exciting, but it can also be extremely dangerous to our health and those
around us. As worker safety became more of a focus for the government, the chemical industry changed
drastically with a focus on laboratory safety. This meant more regulations and documentation. Grants
are also extremely competitive and the review process on a manuscript is very time consuming. A
majority of advanced level chemists are forced into doing more paperwork and less hands-on laboratory
science as they gain more responsibilities. Essentially the whole reason they enjoyed doing science is
buried in paperwork.
While all chemists would like more time to do science, it is their mentees that really make it
worth it. There is a pride in being able to help someone else succeed that is seen on every professors'
face when their student gets into a great school, a great job, finally figures out that problem, etc. It is
the alumni coming back and talking about the professors that inspired them to be successful in some
way. This is what gets me out of bed in the morning. The feeling of being able to do more than I
physically can myself because I am in proxy mentoring hundreds of people every year to be the best
they can be. I can fail in my life, but still have a lasting legacy and positive impact through others. That is
what makes chemistry great.
What general advice would you give to a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Dr. Kevin Francis: I am a firm believer that if you love your job you will never work a day in your life, so feel this
should not be the primary goal. Many of those I was in school with make triple or even more
than my salary but have expressed dissatisfaction with their jobs. Some have switched jobs
multiple times due to this dissatisfaction. At the same time, if you have invested in your
education and training you should at least make a living wage.
In Chemistry at least a Master's degree is needed for most decent paying jobs. I encourage
students not to fear graduate schools and remain confident. Apply to those offering intership
opportunities or other on the job trainings. Many of our graduate students complete these during
the summer. Many of the internships lead to good jobs in those companies upon graduation.
It is more important to enjoy your job though than to get paid a lot to do it.
What will help Chemistry Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kevin Francis: A lesson learned the hard way when starting my career is that we will always be a student in life
and therefore should continue asking questions to those who know more than we do. At the same
time we have learned many lessons already and these should be put to use with confidence so we
will progress in our careers.
I left my PhD as the most senior member of the research group. I knew the ends and outs of the
lab including its history, troubles some instruments gave us in the past and the work arounds
developed to overcome these struggles. When staring my postdoctoral work, I was suddenly in a
lab with its own history and skill sets that must be gained for success. Initially, I was quite
hesitant to ask for help thinking that since I was hired to advise people it would not be
appropriate to ask them for help. This mindset wasted my first year because many experiments
failed simply because of my unfamiliarity with the specific instrumentation used to carry them
out. Upon reaching out and asking the graduate students what I was doing wrong I found that
they were just as happy and proud to share their knowledge as I was as a senior PhD student.
Their help allowed me to cross the barriers that were inhibiting my research and development.
We are always students in life, and while starting a new chapter is intimidating, we should
always remember the challenges we have already overcome. I recall as an undergraduate being
terrified to take advanced Math or Physics courses because I heard so many nightmare stories
about them. They were challenging for sure, but with effort they actually were not that bad. The
same was true about the PhD qualifying exams. Or the almost complete lack of finical stability
resulting from the meager salary as a graduate student or a postdoctoral researcher. You humbly
seek advice from those who have gone through the struggles and eventually find yourself on the
other ide with new skill sets to rely upon. And even if you do not make it your career, you should
always be willing to teach and mentor others to honor those you did so for you.
Alan Chen Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Dept of Chemistry & the RNA Institute, University at AlbanySUNY at Albany
Chemistry
What general advice would you give to a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Alan Chen Ph.D.: For entry-level chemistry jobs, by far the best preparation you can get is to do as much hands-on lab research as you can during your undergraduate training. This includes summer REU programs, mentored thesis research, volunteering in labs, summer internships, co-ops, etc. Hiring managers universally want to see not only what skills/assays/instruments you are familiar with, but also that you have real-world, problem solving experience that goes beyond the classroom and textbooks.
What Chemistry Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alan Chen Ph.D.: Our most successful students start research no later than sophomore year and many opt for our 5-year combined BS/MS track. These students outcompete BS-level applicants for entry-level jobs, and start at higher salary and responsibility levels as many companies will count time in graduate school as "prior experience". The MS degree is particularly versatile as it can also be earned part-time by current employees looking to advance, and unlike the PhD does not over-qualify you for the vast majority of entry level chemist positions. MS degrees typically enable early-career chemists to move up the ranks into management or team-leader positions after a few years. They are also a possible way for recent grads who were unable to get a job due to lack of research experience in undergrad, to get that crucial research experience during their MS thesis, and possibly even upgrade-in-place to our PhD program if they are doing really well. Basically, there seems to be no drawback to getting an MS in Chemistry at a research-intensive university for the vast majority of scientific career tracks.
What will help Chemistry Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Alan Chen Ph.D.: The core skills required for most chemistry positions will likely be unchanged (i.e. analytical chemistry for QA/QC roles) however desired auxiliary skills might include familiarity with data science, laboratory automation and AI/ML which are all becoming increasingly important in the scientific workplace)
Brandi Sigmon Ph.D.
Academic Success Coordinator, Assistant Professor of PracticeUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln
Microbiology Program
What skills stand out on Chemistry Laboratory Technician resumes?
Brandi Sigmon Ph.D.: For Microbiological Laboratory Technicians, I believe hands-on experience in laboratory settings will stand out on resumes. Companies hiring for these types of positions prefer candidates who have worked in lab settings because they will know how labs "work." For example, job candidates who have this experience should know how to follow directions in laboratory protocols, how to set up and conduct experiments, how to work as part of a team, and how to keep accurate records of your laboratory work. If someone applying for Microbiological Laboratory Technician positions can emphasize these skills on their resume, they will convey their trainability to future employers.
What soft skills should all Chemistry Laboratory Technicians possess?
Brandi Sigmon Ph.D.: Often, soft skills tend to be forgotten or under-emphasized on resumes for these positions because applicants tend to focus more heavily on technical skills. However, soft skills are extremely important to include on your resume. In particular, attention to detail, good organization skills, good written and oral communication, ability to multitask, and ability to work as part of a team are all valuable soft skills to have for Microbiological Laboratory Technicians.
Kyle Kemats Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of InstructionOhio University Southern
Chemistry Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Chemistry Laboratory Technicians?
Kyle Kemats Ph.D.: As I mentioned in question 1, training/experience on various instruments is the most important for industry/research jobs. For teaching positions, experience with different pedagogical/education techniques will be helpful for a potential candidate.
What skills will help Chemistry Laboratory Technicians earn the most?
Kyle Kemats Ph.D.: Communication, original thinking, as well as hard skills (training on instruments).
Brian Mendenhall
Associate Director and Career CoachWake Forest University
Office of Personal and Career Development
What skills stand out on Chemistry Laboratory Technician resumes?
Brian Mendenhall: Two things that stand out for me, regardless of whether the person is seeking employment in research or industry, are data analysis (Excel, Python, R) and presentation skills. Research specific skills would also include experimental design and specific relevant laboratory techniques & equipment experience.
What soft skills should all Chemistry Laboratory Technicians possess?
Brian Mendenhall: In the past, the most important attributes have been leadership and problem-solving skills. If the pandemic has taught us anything, the most important attribute is the ability to work with others and get along in multiple virtual and in-person environments. The rest seem elementary and are all dependent on each other. To work well on a team, you need to problem-solve, both on the topic and on how to share information. To solve problems, you need to be analytical and quantitative. Certainly, to do this well, you need to communicate across diverse audiences and levels of understanding. The National Association of Colleges and Employers surveys employers on these priorities and updates the results frequently. (see below for your reference)
Ability to work in a team 81.0%
Problem-solving skills 79.0%
Analytical/quantitative skills 76.1%
Communication skills (verbal) 73.2%
Communication skills (written)
https://www.naceweb.org/about-us/press/the-key-attributes-employers-seek-on-college-graduates-resumes/
Shelley Minteer Ph.D.
Dale and Susan Poulter Endowed Chair in Biological Chemistry, Associate Chair of ChemistryUniversity of Utah
Department Of Chemistry
What skills stand out on Chemistry Laboratory Technician resumes?
Shelley Minteer Ph.D.: The skills that stand out are research experience, characterization instrumentation experience, and more recently, data science experience and coding experience, as machine learning and AI become more and more important in chemistry.
What soft skills should all Chemistry Laboratory Technicians possess?
Shelley Minteer Ph.D.: The most important soft skills are communication and people management skills. It is critical to be strong in both oral and written communication.
Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Director of Dual Degree EngineeringMeredith College
Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Geoscience
What general advice would you give to a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.: Chemistry graduates should be open minded, and ready to absorb and use information. They should be confident in themselves, and since they're still learning, they should not hesitate to ask for help and advice. If students haven't learned how to fail, they should go into a career ready for potential failures, and they will need to be ready to handle failures and move on.
What Chemistry Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alexandra (Sasha) Ormond Ph.D.: Having hands-on experience through research, internships, and working with instruments can make a candidate more attractive to employers. Pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. degree can also lead to a higher starting salary, although the job opportunities may differ based on the level of education.
Dunwei Wang Ph.D.
Margaret A & Thomas A Vanderslice Chair in Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry, Chairperson of Chemistry DepartmentBoston College
Chemistry Department
What soft skills should all Chemistry Laboratory Technicians possess?
Dunwei Wang Ph.D.: Problem-solving skills. When presented with a problem, knowing where to go to find information to solve it.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Chemistry Laboratory Technicians?
Dunwei Wang Ph.D.: Chemistry is a diverse field. As a foundational discipline, it enables several sub-fields and supports emerging new fields. As one example, our graduates become experts in medical research, health care, and scientists and engineers in many other fields. Depending on the different career goals, what is important can be drastically different. Generally speaking, doing bench work (either in the lab or on a computer) should be a good skill to have at graduation.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemistry Laboratory Technicians?
Dr. Matthieu Rouffet Ph.D.: We have tried to avoid that as much as possible. Still, we know that for one semester (Fall 2020), students did not acquire many hands-on skills in chemistry courses because everything was done remotely. We are not quite sure if this will have an enduring impact on graduates as we have tried to play "catch up" this semester, but it may well have. Another aspect to consider, in my opinion, is the increased level of stress, anxiety, and depression linked to isolation which might also impact our graduates.
What's a day at work look like for a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Dr. Matthieu Rouffet Ph.D.: It depends on what they do! Many of our recent graduates work in biotech as research associates. As such, they do a lot of bench work either in chemistry or biology.
What technical skills for a Chemistry Laboratory Technician stand out to employers?
Dr. Matthieu Rouffet Ph.D.: Our PLNU graduates have a lot of hands-on experience (most courses have a lab component, and many of our students do summer research with a faculty member for two summers allowing them to spend over 800 hours in a lab), so employers regularly comment on the fact that they are ready to go from day one.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Chemistry Laboratory Technician job market given the pandemic?
Daniel Ludwigsen: In responding to this and other questions, I'm considering the perspective of graduates from my programs, with a bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics or Applied Physics. Most of our grads are looking at full-time positions in engineering, particularly R&D and product development, or consulting/project engineering directly with their employers' customers. In sectors that are in demand, these positions are seeing an accelerated shift in the ways of working-just like we see in most professions. Working at least a portion of the week at home, less travel, more video conferencing, all force employees to sharpen their essential skills in communication, project management, and basically, working with diverse teams.
What Chemistry Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Daniel Ludwigsen: Graduates from our programs often find that graduate degrees, masters, or even doctorates, fit into their career trajectories well. If I were advising a graduating senior considering a gap year, I would suggest a certificate program in a relevant field, such as programming, data science, or similar areas. While these incorporate broadly applicable skills as well as valuable disciplinary perspective, these certificate programs often offer credit that can later be applied toward a graduate degree.
What general advice would you give to a Chemistry Laboratory Technician?
Daniel Ludwigsen: If I'm talking with a graduate that is in the fortunate position to be weighing multiple opportunities, I emphasize the importance of work culture. This applies to graduate schools as well! If you are interviewing, and have a chance to evaluate the environment in which you'll be spending so much of your time and energy, try to pick up on the nonverbal "feel" of the place and the people there.
What Chemistry Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dennis Province Ph.D.: In the field of science, it is always a good idea to have all the skills that you can get. If you want to work in a microbiology lab, you should think about learning some chemistry or statistics. Important work never stays in one tiny corner of science; it bridges many fields and so should your skill set. People skills are also very important. Can you talk to people and communicate and listen to new ideas?
A gap year usually implies finding work as a research technician before applying to graduate or professional school. If this is the case, one question that employers and graduate programs have about their applicants are about their fitness: can they withstand the rigor at the next level? A recent graduate needs to show evidence that they are responsible and timely. The gap year should be filled with activities that show this.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Chemistry Laboratory Technician job market given the pandemic?
Patrick Drohan Ph.D.: The market will rebound in a way similar to the 1920s following the Spanish Flu pandemic. Coupled with the administration shifts, students in science fields especially will be well-placed for quick hires. There is also an age cohort now moving in retirement that occupied a pretty large percentage of positions and those jobs are opening up to entry-level hires. We are starting to see some of that now.
What skills stand out on Chemistry Laboratory Technician resumes?
Patrick Drohan Ph.D.: The academic skills are very important, experience in academic clubs like soil judging or weed judging (your niche), but more important is a diversity of experience with working in labs while in school, having summer jobs tied to your career, etc. - working at Dairy Queen in your home town may not be the best idea anymore if you are trying to out-compete others for entry-level work, and frankly, there is plenty of work out there if you are willing to move.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Chemistry Laboratory Technicians to find work opportunities?
Patrick Drohan Ph.D.: Depends on what they want to do, are they single, etc. If you are flexible and qualified you can land a job anywhere. If you are social, then moving to remote parts of Alaska might not be the best idea. If you are looking for a niche, having relative experience prior to applying will be important. There are lots of qualified candidates today who have impressive entry-level resumes. Women tend to be more qualified than men too.