How much does a science technician make?
a year · about $30 an hour
A typical science technician in the United States makes $62,280 a year, about $30 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
The day depends on the specialty: one technician may collect data with a drone’s sensors, while a lab technician tests samples and records results. They check equipment and share data with scientists.
Did you know? Some science technicians plan flights and use cameras or sensors on drones to take aerial photographs.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $39,000 and $102,690How do you become one?
In the United States, BLS lists an associate degree as the typical entry education for this broad job group. It lists no related work experience or formal on-the-job training, though specialties can differ.
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., this broad job group covers many specialties, so the work’s complexity and needed skills can affect pay. Experience, useful credentials, employer or industry, location, and hours or shifts can also make pay differ.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($78,350), lowest in Wisconsin ($47,210).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $39,000 | $62,280 | $102,690 | about 74,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $78,350 | about 10,000 |
| Washington | $73,530 | about 980 |
| Georgia | $69,320 | about 2,000 |
| Maryland | $68,390 | about 4,000 |
| Virginia | $67,240 | about 3,000 |
Official definition: All life, physical, and social science technicians not listed separately.
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/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/print/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-4099.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/19-4099.01
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-4099.03
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/19-4099.03
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY