Chemical technicians support research, development, and production in labs and manufacturing settings. You'll document data, monitor processes, and solve problems using chemistry and critical thinking. A bachelor's degree is typical, and the work is hands-on and in demand.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Chemical technicians work in laboratories and manufacturing facilities, supporting chemists and engineers. You document and record information from experiments and processes, monitor equipment and materials, and inspect structures to ensure quality. You organize work, make decisions to solve problems, and process technical information. Your days involve a mix of hands-on lab work, data recording, and equipment monitoring. You need strong chemistry knowledge and the ability to think critically about what you observe.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Chemical Technicians earn a median of $60,390 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 6,700 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most chemical technician roles require a bachelor's degree. During your education, you'll study chemistry, mathematics, and computers alongside English and administrative skills. The preparation level is medium, meaning you'll need solid foundational knowledge but don't necessarily need years of prior experience. Look for programs that include lab work and real-world projects. Once you have your degree, you can apply directly to positions in manufacturing, research, or quality control settings.
Most paths to this role go through a bachelor's degree program. If you're deciding between different schools or program types, Pathly can map the chemical technician path that fits you to map out your next steps with your counselor.
You do not need a license to work as a chemical technician, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're a good fit if you're curious about how things work, enjoy solving puzzles, and like working with data and equipment. Investigative types thrive here.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).