Refit
Career overview · SOC 19-4031

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)

Median pay (national)
$57,790
$39,030–$90,990 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
55,640
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.7%
~6,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
Associate's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for chemical technicians shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $90,990 versus $39,030 at the bottom 10% — 2.3x. The median of $57,790 leaves roughly 57% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.7% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 6,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Louisiana pays the most for this role (median $83,480, +44% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $34,470 — a 142% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Science, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook as in-demand technologies for this role.

Tailor your resume to Chemical Technicians

Honest tailoring

See how your resume lines up with Chemical Technicians

Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.

Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.

Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Science
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
  • Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
  • 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.
  • Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.
  • Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.
  • Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
  • 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.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • C++
  • Linux
  • Oracle Database
  • Oracle Java
  • Python
  • R
  • SAP software
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Database software
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • Software development tools
  • Email software
  • Microsoft Access

Knowledge areas

  • Chemistry
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Production and Processing
  • Administrative
  • Education and Training
  • Customer and Personal Service