by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Chemical Technology/Technician involves the study of Chemical Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Scientific Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Chemical And Biochemical Research And Industrial Operations. Includes Instruction In Principles Of Chemistry And Biochemistry, Technical Mathematics, Computer Applications, Radiochemistry, Industrial Biochemistry, Chemical Instrumentation, Physical Chemistry, Laboratory Research Methods, Industrial Processing Methods And Equipment, And Test Equipment Operation And Maintenance. Continue reading for the important information every chemical technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chemical technology/technician programs.
Nationwide, chemical technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 2,843 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chemical Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 63 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chemical technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chemical technology/technician programs later in this article.
Coursework for Chemical Technology/Technician build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chemical technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a chemical technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a chemical technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chemical technology/technician 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 | 734 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,095 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,014 |
People currently working in careers related to chemical technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 49.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 20.2% |
| Some college courses | 15.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| 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 technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in chemical technology/technician can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to chemical technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chemical technology/technician.
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of chemical technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chemical technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $64,527 |
| Chemical Technicians | $60,181 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $27,362 |
With 63 different chemical technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chemical technology/technician school rankings to help you.
Those considering chemical technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemical Process Technology | 74 |
| Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
