Chemical technicians support chemists and chemical engineers by conducting laboratory experiments, monitoring production processes, and performing quality control tests on raw materials and finished products. They operate and maintain lab equipment, prepare samples, record data, and ensure that testing follows strict safety and regulatory protocols. Their work spans industries including pharmaceuticals, petroleum, food and beverage, cosmetics, plastics, and environmental testing.
| Entry level | $36,000 |
| Median | $52,000 |
| Senior | $68,000 |
| Top 10% | $82,000 |
| Job growth | +5% |
| Professionals in the USA | 0.13 million |
| Typical hours/week | 40 hrs |
| Remote work share | 3% |
| Annual job openings | 12,300/yr |
| Demand | 4.6 / 10 (Moderate) |
AI and automation are increasingly handling routine data logging, instrument calibration, and sample analysis in chemical labs. However, physical handling of chemicals, equipment troubleshooting, and safety judgment still require human presence and expertise. The role is evolving toward overseeing automated systems rather than being replaced outright.
Automation exposure: Repetitive tasks like data entry, routine titrations, sample tracking, report generation, and standard quality control checks are highly automatable with lab robotics and AI-driven analytical software.
The human edge: Hands-on manipulation of physical samples, troubleshooting unexpected equipment or reaction anomalies, interpreting ambiguous or novel results, and ensuring lab safety compliance require human judgment and dexterity that AI cannot fully replicate.
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current data with BLS.gov.