by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Chemical Process Technology involves the study of Chemical Process Technology. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Scientific Principles And Technical Skills To The Operation Of Chemical Processing Equipment In Industries Such As Chemical Manufacturing, Petroleum Refining, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, And Waste Water Treatment. Includes Instruction In Mathematics, Chemistry, And Physics; Computer Applications; Chemical And Refinery Plant Operations, Processes, And Equipment; Safety, Health, And Environment; Instrumentation; Troubleshooting; And Applications To Specific Industries. Examples: [Process Technology]. Read on to learn the important information every chemical process technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chemical process technology programs.
Nationwide, chemical process technology is a popular field of study, with 74 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chemical Process Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 9 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chemical process technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chemical process technology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Chemical Process Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chemical process technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a chemical process technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a chemical process technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chemical process technology 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 | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 33 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 30 |
People currently working in careers related to chemical process technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 46.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.0% |
| Some college courses | 13.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
| Master’s degree | 0.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in chemical process technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in chemical process technology can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to chemical process technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chemical process technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | 312,202 | -0.0% |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | 196,413 | 8.6% |
| Chemical Technicians | 136,017 | 11.6% |
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of chemical process technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $54,327 |
| 4 years | $82,599 |
| 5 years | $92,712 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for chemical process technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chemical process technology 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 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $64,527 |
| Chemical Technicians | $60,181 |
| Quality Control Analysts | $53,423 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $27,362 |
With 9 different chemical process technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chemical process technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in chemical process technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemical Technology/Technician | 2,843 |
| Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
