How To Become A Science Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a science technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Scott Lankford Ph.D.

Science technicians use the principles and theories of science to assist in research and development. They use it to help invent and improve products and processes. They set up, operate, and maintain laboratory equipment. Likewise, they monitor experiments, make observations, calculate and record results, and often draw conclusions. Also, they maintain a detailed log of all operations. Moreover, they may develop and implement laboratory procedures useful in devising solutions to problems. Science technicians work alongside scientists in numerous fields. This may include agricultural, forensic, nuclear, conservation, chemical, and biological science.

Educational requirements for this role vary from an associate's degree with on-the-job training to a bachelor's degree. Most employers prefer candidates with at least two years of postsecondary training. Candidates may have an associate's degree in applied science or a bachelor's degree in natural science. Core skills include communication, attention to detail, analytical, and organization. Science technicians earn about $41,499 yearly. This ranges between $30,000 and $57,000.

What general advice would you give to a science technician?

Dr. Scott Lankford Ph.D.

School Chair, University of Central Missouri

Never stop networking in your discipline. The apparent impact of this is increased future opportunity, which causes people, happy with their situation, to focus inwardly on their organization. However, these networking experiences not only improve your professional capacity, but they sometimes lead to positive changes in your organization overall.

ScoreScience TechnicianUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $35,570

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.43%

Asian 12.77%

Black or African American 12.60%

Hispanic or Latino 13.26%

Unknown 6.13%

White 52.81%

Gender

female 38.33%

male 61.67%

Age - 37

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 - 37

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.8

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a science technician

Explore science technician education requirements

Most common science technician degrees

Bachelor's

69.4 %

Associate

13.9 %

Master's

10.7 %

Start to develop specific science technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Lab Equipment	13.02%
Safety Regulations	10.80%
Research Projects	10.33%
Social Work	7.06%
Data Entry	4.29%

Complete relevant science technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New science 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 science technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real science technician resumes.

Research science technician duties and responsibilities

Identify owl species by sight and sound prompt using hoot flute and reed caller.
Manage daily RCRA inspections and mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment preventive/corrective maintenance procedures.
Administer laboratory tests and experiments that include various assays, such as ELISA and specialize technologies.
Create GIS layers and a corresponding database of artifacts find at various GPS locations in and around the project site.

Prepare your science technician resume

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

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