Also called: Research Technician, Lab Technician (Physics)
Helps scientists build equipment, run tests, and record data in research labs.
You might wire a vacuum chamber, run a measurement every hour, and keep detailed lab notebooks. National labs and universities hire many technicians, and some later go back for degrees on the employer's dime.
Based on life, physical, and social science technicians, all other.
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 or bachelor's degree in a science or electronics field.
Ways in: 2-year college, 4-year college, On-the-job training, Military. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Electronics Technology, Physics, Engineering Technology.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Medium risk for 10 years. Automated measurement and AI logging cut routine data work; wiring, building and fixing lab gear stay hands-on.
Classes: Physics, Electronics CTE, Algebra II.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4099.
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.