by our College Data Analytics TeamScientific experiments require extremely controlled conditions. However, sometimes the project is too large for the scientist to complete alone. By choosing a major in the field of Science Technology, you will learn the Required Skills to aid research scientists and ensure experiments are successfully conducted.
Science Technician majors learn how to use all the necessary tools and technology used in performing research along with the skills to set up and run experiments without error. Students take classes in biology, chemistry, microbiology, statistics, physics, and technical writing to prepare for a career in the lab.
Since there are specific scientific disciplines, technicians must learn the appropriate skills to perform necessary tasks and have the technical skills to aid research specific to each area of specialization. Those interested in biology can major in Biology and Biotech Lab Technology, while students interested in working with nuclear energy can major in Nuclear and Radiological Technology; another option is a major in Physical Science Technology. All of these majors are usually offered as Associate's degrees; however, students also have the option of pursuing a Bachelor's at select colleges.
Studying Science Technologies / Technicians involves the study of Science Technologies/technicians. Instructional Programs That Prepare Individuals To Apply Scientific Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Scientific Research And Development. Read on to learn the important information every science technologies / technicians student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering science technologies / technicians programs.
Nationwide, science technologies / technicians is a popular field of study, with 7,092 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Science Technologies / Technicians Schools ranking analyzes these 212 schools to determine the best overall colleges for science technologies / technicians students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of science technologies / technicians programs later in this article.
Programs in Science Technologies / Technicians develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations science technologies / technicians graduates commonly enter.
As a science technician, you must be extremely observant and pay close attention to detail. Since you will be responsible for properly executing experiments along with writing down data, it is imperative to ensure everything is accurate and the experiment is kept controlled. Critical thinking and analytical skills are important when analyzing data, while strong communication skills will help you explain your findings.
Experience the field will greatly help your job search after graduation. Look into internships or part time work in a lab or completing research.
Skills emphasized by a science technologies / technicians program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a science technologies / technicians major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several science technologies / technicians degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,005 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3,661 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 424 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,989 |
People currently working in careers related to science technologies / technicians tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 35.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.3% |
| Some college courses | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.1% |
| Master’s degree | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in science technologies / technicians careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Science Technician majors typically find jobs in a variety of research labs. These labs can include research and development, pharmaceutical research, collegiate research, energy research, or biological research for a variety of companies. A degree in this field will prepare you to assist research scientists in any industry.
The field is growing at an average pace, meaning graduates will face some competition for jobs after graduation. Those with previous experience will have better job opportunities.
Studying science technologies / technicians opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to science technologies / technicians.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to science technologies / technicians.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | 312,202 | -0.0% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operators | 214,148 | 14.1% |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | 196,413 | 8.6% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 159,640 | 3.9% |
| Hydrologic Technicians | 139,812 | 4.0% |
| Chemical Technicians | 136,017 | 11.6% |
| Quality Control Analysts | 105,873 | 12.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of science technologies / technicians graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $52,429 |
| 4 years | $69,732 |
| 5 years | $78,423 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for science technologies / technicians graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers science technologies / technicians grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $119,992 |
| Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | $115,968 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Remote Sensing Technicians | $99,834 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $95,957 |
| Nuclear Technicians | $92,140 |
| Hydrologic Technicians | $92,011 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $64,527 |
With 212 different science technologies / technicians programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased science technologies / technicians school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in science technologies / technicians, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
