How much does a chemical technician make?
Answer: A typical chemical technician in the United States makes $60,390 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 58,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Chemical technician pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $41,740 | $60,390 | $92,040 | about 58,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $85,850 | about 960 |
| Delaware | $78,620 | about 540 |
| South Carolina | $75,020 | about 2,000 |
| Missouri | $68,550 | about 720 |
| Massachusetts | $67,570 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience and skill, useful extra training or certifications, and whether someone works in manufacturing, testing, or research. Location and more complex or specialized duties can matter too.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a chemical technician do?
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.
What's a typical day like?
They set up instruments, test samples, prepare chemical solutions, and check whether products meet quality rules. They maintain equipment and write up results for scientists or engineers.
How to get this job
Most U.S. chemical technicians study applied science or chemical technology for about two years after high school; some jobs accept high-school graduates, others want a bachelor's. They train on the job; BLS names no universal exam or license.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like figuring things out and building and doing.
Did you know?
Some chemical technicians help chemists and other scientists develop new medicines—a lab job can play a part in making future treatments.
Similar jobs
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Life, Physical, and Social Science jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/chemical-technicians.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/19-4031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY