Also called: Environmental Lab Technician
Tests drinking water, wastewater, and rivers for bacteria, metals, and chemicals.
You run samples through instruments that detect lead at parts per billion, log results, and alert operators when something's off.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in chemistry or biology; technicians may have an associate degree.
Ways in: 4-year college, 2-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Automated analyzers and LIMS software run more tests with fewer staff; sampling and quality checks still need people.
Classes: Chemistry, Biology, Algebra 2.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4042.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.