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What is a process technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted expert
John Irwin EdD
introduction image

A process technician is an individual who monitors and maintains equipment and processes to ensure they operate efficiently and safely. They are responsible for troubleshooting problems, making adjustments, and performing routine maintenance tasks. Process technicians also collect data and perform quality control checks to ensure that products meet industry standards. Overall, process technicians play a crucial role in ensuring that production processes run smoothly and that products are of high quality.

What general advice would you give to a process technician?

John Irwin EdDJohn Irwin EdD LinkedIn profile

Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Michigan Technological University

Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.
ScoreProcess TechnicianUS Average
Salary
3.1

Avg. Salary $39,462

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.4

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.68%

Asian 7.61%

Black or African American 9.36%

Hispanic or Latino 16.49%

Unknown 4.87%

White 60.99%

Gender

female 26.85%

male 73.15%

Age - 46
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 - 46
Stress level
7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a process technician?

Pros

  • Good job security

  • Opportunities for career advancement

  • Hands-on experience with machinery and equipment

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a variety of industries

Cons

  • Exposure to hazardous materials and chemicals

  • Physically demanding work that can be tiring or uncomfortable

  • High stress environment due to production goals and uptime targets

  • Potential for repetitive strain injuries or other physical harm if safety procedures are not followed correctly

  • Can be mentally taxing due to troubleshooting issues with equipment and processes.

Process technician career paths

Key steps to become a process technician

  1. Explore process technician education requirements

    Most common process technician degrees

    Bachelor's

    35.9 %

    Associate

    28.4 %

    High School Diploma

    21.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific process technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Basic Math13.28%
    Patients8.37%
    OSHA7.74%
    Math7.65%
    Dexterity7.23%
  3. Complete relevant process technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New process 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 process technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real process technician resumes.
  4. Research process technician duties and responsibilities

    • Manage successful DCS upgrade projects.
    • Assist PMs in establishing effective project oversight and control, and in proactively identifying and managing project risks.
    • Manage a team of 16 technicians on all phases of the Fab start up: from process formation to manufacturing readiness.
    • Spearhead inspection and packaging equipment for pharmaceutical products per FDA regulations to achieve production goals ahead of schedule.
  5. Prepare your process technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your process 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 process 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 process technician resume templates

    Build a professional process 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 process technician resume.
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  6. Apply for process technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a process 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 process technician job

Zippi

Are you a process technician?

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Average process technician salary

The average process technician salary in the United States is $39,462 per year or $19 per hour. Process technician salaries range between $30,000 and $51,000 per year.

Average process technician salary
$39,462 Yearly
$18.97 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do process technicians rate their job?

3/5

Based on 2 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Process technician reviews

profile
4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Salary, benefits, and the ability to move up.

Cons

It is hard to get a job at a refinery


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

Chemical procedure for making final product with approved formula Work with r&d people for validation batches

Cons

Nothing


profile
2.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

Active handling machine and repair

Cons

Data collection and send report sit one place not do nothing at all Boring work


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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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