Chemical Technicians

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.

Also called: Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab Technician), Chemical Analyst, Chemical Technician, Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Laboratory Tester (Lab Tester), Organic Preparation Analyst (Organic Prep Analyst), Quality Control Laboratory Technician (QC Lab Tech), Quality Control Technician (QC Tech), Research Technician, Analysis Tester, Analytical Technician, Assayer, Bleach Analyst, Chemical Analytical Sampler, Chemical Dependency Technician (Chemical Dependency Tech), Chemical Engineering Technician, Chemical Laboratory Assistant (Chemical Lab Assistant), Chemical Laboratory Technician (Chemical Lab Technician), Chemical Laboratory Tester (Chemical Lab Tester), Chemical Process Technician (Chemical Process Tech), Chemical Research Worker, Chemical Tester, Chemist Assistant, Chemist Helper, Chemistry Lab Technician (Chemistry Laboratory Technician), Chemistry QC Tech (Chemistry Quality Control Technician), Chemistry Research Assistant, Chemistry Technician, Cloth Tester, Color Consultant, Color Maker, Color Maker Formulator, Color Matcher, Color Tester, Colorist, Colorist Formulator, Concrete Analyst, Concrete Technician, Concrete Tester, Control Analyst, Drug Testing Technician, Dry Color Tester, Dye Colorist Formulator, Dye Expert, Dye Lab Technician, Fiber Analyst, Field Laboratory Operator (Field Lab Operator), Flue Gas Analyst, Formulation Technician, Formulator, Formulator Compounder, Gas Technician (Gas Tech), Gold Assayer, Grey Goods Tester, Inorganic Chemical Technician, Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant), Laboratory Chemical Assistant (Lab Chemical Assistant), Laboratory Cureman (Lab Cureman), Laboratory Worker (Lab Worker), Landfill Gas Technician (Landfill Gas Tech), Mass Spectrometrist, Materials Analyst, Measurement Technician (Measurement Tech), Medical Lab Technician (Medical Laboratory Technician), Natural Gas Technician (Natural Gas Tech), Oil and Gas Analyst, Organic Preparation Technician (Organic Prep Technician), Paint Formulator, Paint Laboratory Technician (Paint Lab Technician), Paint Technician, Paint Tester, Perfumer, Plastic Technician, Polymer Tester, Process Development Associate, Pyrotechnist, Rayon Tester, Research and Development Associate (R & D Associate), Rubber Compounder Formulator, Scientific Research Associate, Spectrograph Operator, Spectrographer, Spectroscopist, Technical Staff Member, Textile Colorist Formulator, Textile Technologist, Viscosity Inspector, Viscosity Worker, Water Analyst, Water Quality Technician, Wet Chemistry Analyst

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.
Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment.

Skills, machines and equipment

Science
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Writing
Monitoring
Speaking
Active Learning
Operations Monitoring
Learning Strategies
Complex Problem Solving
Quality Control Analysis

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (33.34% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

48,530–75,900 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 19-4031.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (33.34% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Chemical Technicians