Chemical Technicians Career, Salary and Skills
Chemical Technicians have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $60,390 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 57,540. Wage data is published for 244 locations.
Occupation description
Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.
O*NET code
19-4031.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$60,390
Hourly median
$29.03
Employment
57,540
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Science | 4.12 | 4.12 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Writing | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Monitoring | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Active Learning | 3.38 | 3.25 |
| Speaking | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.12 | 3.25 |
Typical tasks
- Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
- Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
- Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
- Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
- Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
- Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
- Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.
- Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
Technology
- C++
- Database software
- Email software
- Laboratory information management system LIMS
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Database
- Oracle Java
- Python
Chemical Technicians salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Chemical Technicians Salary in CAMedian $59,510 · Employment 6,800
- Chemical Technicians Salary in TXMedian $62,580 · Employment 6,090
- Chemical Technicians Salary in OHMedian $59,750 · Employment 3,120
- Chemical Technicians Salary in New York, NYMedian $60,320 · Employment 3,120
- Chemical Technicians Salary in NJMedian $58,580 · Employment 2,730
- Chemical Technicians Salary in PAMedian $59,420 · Employment 2,710
- Chemical Technicians Salary in NCMedian $59,030 · Employment 2,660
- Chemical Technicians Salary in Houston, TXMedian $65,050 · Employment 2,620
- Chemical Technicians Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $58,070 · Employment 2,330
- Chemical Technicians Salary in MIMedian $58,180 · Employment 2,220
- Chemical Technicians Salary in NYMedian $60,900 · Employment 2,200
- Chemical Technicians Salary in SCMedian $75,020 · Employment 2,080
Related careers
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansNational median $82,890
- Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersNational median $58,040
- Industrial EngineersNational median $102,440
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including HealthNational median $55,090
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and TechniciansNational median $74,510
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersNational median $48,570
- Biological TechniciansNational median $57,510
- Materials ScientistsNational median $117,790
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.