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Job outlook for process technicians in the United States
Process technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected process technician job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 2,100 new jobs for process technicians are projected over the next decade.
Process technician salaries have increased 7% for process technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 55,929 process technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 74,367 active process technician job openings in the US.
The average process technician salary is $39,462.
Are process technician jobs in demand?
Process technician job and salary trends over time
Process technician jobs over time
Process technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 55,929 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 44,427 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 46,313 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 62,593 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 58,320 | 0.02% |
Average process technician salary over time
Process technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,462 | $18.97 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $38,932 | $18.72 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $38,181 | $18.36 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $37,369 | $17.97 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $36,715 | $17.65 | --0.8% |
Process technician jobs by state
Most common states for process technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,564 | 23% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 281 | 21% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 273 | 20% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 190 | 20% |
| 5 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 139 | 20% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 602 | 19% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 998 | 18% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 517 | 17% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 109 | 17% |
| 10 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,070 | 16% |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 894 | 15% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 101 | 14% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,380 | 13% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 801 | 13% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 747 | 13% |
| 16 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 563 | 13% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 382 | 13% |
| 18 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,240 | 12% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 432 | 12% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 132 | 12% |
Most common cities for process technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Addison | 7 | 19% | $45,394 |
| 2 | Orchard Park | 5 | 17% | $38,210 |
| 3 | Hagerstown | 6 | 15% | $42,206 |
| 4 | Saginaw | 7 | 14% | $40,347 |
| 5 | Lenexa | 6 | 11% | $39,702 |
| 6 | Brookfield | 4 | 11% | $34,949 |
| 7 | Loveland | 6 | 8% | $39,874 |
| 8 | Cupertino | 5 | 8% | $45,989 |
| 9 | Southfield | 5 | 7% | $40,208 |
| 10 | Santa Clara | 5 | 4% | $45,946 |
| 11 | Baltimore | 9 | 1% | $42,733 |
| 12 | Milwaukee | 6 | 1% | $34,956 |
| 13 | Boston | 5 | 1% | $45,080 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $41,636 |
| 15 | Chicago | 7 | 0% | $45,398 |
Process Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of process technician experts
Michigan Technological University
North Dakota State University
University of Denver
University of Houston - Downtown
What general advice would you give to a Process Technician?
John Irwin EdD: 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.
What Process Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Irwin EdD: They like that the job market is very strong. Companies that are implementing industry 4.0 technologies are in need of Engineering Technology graduates because they are well prepared to meet these challenges. Employers like their problem-solving and hands-on experience with modern industry tools. ET graduates with 4-yr degrees dislike that some company recruiters do not recognize them as engineers and confuse them with 2-yr associate degree technicians.
Andriy Voronov
ProfessorNorth Dakota State University
Coatings and Polymeric Materials Department
How have salaries changed over time for Process Technicians?
Andriy Voronov: Being materials scientist means being able to do lot of things starting from fundamental research on material properties and characterization up to developing entirely new formulations and modify them to make new products suitable for new applications. One should be prepared to work in research lab, but also in pilot plants, as well as in manufacturing facilities. As for the soft skills, those are critical thinking, problem solving, communication, written and oral, including ability to communicate science to scientists, but also nonscientific audience, also flexibility and adaptability in (always) willing to learn. Although not a soft skill, but rather technical one, do not forget about fundamental knowledge and understanding of materials specifics and properties one works with.
Dr. Matt Howard Gordon Ph.D.
Professor & Chair, Mechanical & Materials EngineeringUniversity of Denver
Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
What's a good job out of college for Process Technicians?
Dr. Matt Howard Gordon Ph.D.: I think any technical job is a good job for engineers. You build experience, ideally in an area of interest, making it easier to get your next job.
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chemistry Program Coordinator, Assistant ChairUniversity of Houston - Downtown
College of Sciences and Technology
What skills stand out on Process Technician resumes?
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.: Apart from a good foundation in the chemistry discipline, skills that will stand out on resumes include: experience in various analytical techniques, excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing, ability to work collaboratively (team player), and the ability to think critically to find solutions to problems (problem solving). Another valuable skill nowadays would be to be competent in the use of technology for communication purposes (Zoom, etc.).