by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you desire to work in a lab setting to help other scientists in performing research or running tests? Majoring in science technologies will allow you to prepare to become a science technician in a number of different fields. This major will prepare you by teaching you the scientific method, how to perform tests and think analytically in order to run meaningful tests in the lab.
For example, you could become a biological, chemical, environmental, forensic or medical technician - depending on the industry you're interested in. Biological and chemical technicians run lab experiments working with biologists and chemists creating new processes and compounds. Environmental technicians monitor the environment looking to ensure the area assigned to them is healthy and free from contaminants. Forensic technicians work with law enforcement agencies to analyze forensic evidence. Medical\clinical technicians take lab samples from patients and analyze it according to doctor's lab orders.
Most science technician positions require an associate degree with a focus on your science discipline of choice. However, you can obtain a bachelor's degree in this subject at some colleges.
Studying General Science Technologies/Technicians covers Science Technologies/technicians, General. Read on to learn the important information every general science technologies/technicians student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general science technologies/technicians programs.
In the U.S., general science technologies/technicians draws strong interest, with 102 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Science Technologies/Technicians Schools ranking analyzes these 17 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general science technologies/technicians students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general science technologies/technicians programs later in this article.
Programs in General Science Technologies/Technicians develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general science technologies/technicians graduates commonly enter.
In this subject of study, it is helpful to have good attention to detail and an analytical mind. You'll need to come up with tests to run and be able to accurately track your tests to ensure they are repeatable. You must also be an excellent communicator - both written and oral so you can accurately convey test results. You will also need to be able to run technical equipment, so technical aptitude is a must.
Skills emphasized by a general science technologies/technicians program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general science technologies/technicians major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 | 9 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 44 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 44 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to general science technologies/technicians tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 30.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.3% |
| Some college courses | 8.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| Master’s degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general science technologies/technicians careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general science technologies/technicians opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general science technologies/technicians.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general science technologies/technicians.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrologic Technicians | 139,812 | 4.0% |
| Quality Control Analysts | 105,873 | 12.9% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | 71,781 | 0.4% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | 56,828 | 9.9% |
| Remote Sensing Technicians | 30,427 | -2.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general science technologies/technicians graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $71,144 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general science technologies/technicians graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general science technologies/technicians grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $119,992 |
| Remote Sensing Technicians | $99,834 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $95,957 |
| Hydrologic Technicians | $92,011 |
| Quality Control Analysts | $53,423 |
With 17 different general science technologies/technicians programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general science technologies/technicians school rankings to help you.
Students interested in general science technologies/technicians, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Science Technologies/Technicians | 102 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Science Technologies/Technicians | 2,922 |
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | 2,518 |
| Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians | 1,212 |
| Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians | 338 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
