Also called: Lab Technician, Chemical Lab Tech
Runs lab tests and experiments that help chemists and chemical engineers develop and check products.
You prepare samples, run them through machines that identify every chemical inside, and record results. When a reading looks odd, you rerun it and flag it to the engineer before a batch ships.
Approximate May 2024 figures.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate in chemical technology or applied science.
Ways in: 2-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Chemical Technology, Chemistry.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Approximate projection.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Robotic lab automation and AI analysis take over routine testing; setting up experiments and handling odd samples stay human.
Classes: Chemistry, Biology, Algebra II, Computer science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4031.
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.