Chemical Technicians may: 

Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests 

Analyze solids, liquids, and gases to develop new products and processing methods or to maintain health and safety standards 

Set up, adjust, operate, and maintain laboratory equipment and instruments needed for tests, research, or process control 

Prepare and standardize solutions for use as reagents 

Analyze finished products such as foods, drugs, plastics, dyes, and paints to determine composition, purity and other characteristics of chemical content 

Test experimental products for potential use 

Test ores, minerals, gases, and other materials for the presence and percentage of elements and substances such as carbon, tungsten, nitrogen, iron, gold, or nickel 

Prepare chemical solutions for use in processing materials such as textiles, detergents, paper, felt, and fertilizers following standard formulas or experimental procedures 

Keep precise and detailed records 

Prepare technical reports including charts, tables, and graphs 

Compute and analyze results of tests and experiments 

Contribute to the solution of chemical-related problems 

Assist in the design and installation of production equipment. 

Maintain, clean, and sterilize laboratory instruments and equipment

Chemical Technicians usually work under the direction of a chemist, chemical engineer, or laboratory supervisor. Some Technicians supervise operation in the production of chemical products and may train and supervise several other workers. The work itself may range from uncomplicated, routine tasks to those which are highly complex and challenging. 

Chemical Technicians usually work under safe conditions in a well lighted, well ventilated, and comfortable environment. Modern laboratories and manufacturing plants are well equipped to ensure that all operations are conducted safely. Exhaust systems remove unpleasant or dangerous fumes. The use of toxic chemicals is carefully regulated and flammable or explosive chemicals are used only under maximum safety conditions. Safety precautions are taken in all activities. Technicians may be required to stand for long periods of time.

The hours of work usually follow the normal 5-day, 40-hour week except when processes or tests must be completed without interruption. Large industrial companies operating around-the-clock or research labs may employ Technicians on more than one shift. 

Technicians who conduct field tests or work as sales representatives are required to do some traveling. 

Some Chemical Technicians, as a condition of employment, must become a member of a local union. Chemical Technicians working in certain geographical locations are usually encouraged to become members of a Technicians' affiliated group within The American Chemical Society (A.C.S.). 

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities using special machines, processes, and techniques  

You Should Be Able To:

• Use reason and logic

• Understand the meanings of words and ideas

• Present information effectively

• See detail in objects or drawings

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy and safety

• Rate information by measurable, verifiable standards

• Apply mathematics  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve: 

A Pt-resistance thermometer has a resistance of 9.81 ohms at 0 degrees Celsius, 13.65 ohms at 100 degrees Celsius, and 21.00 ohms at 300 degrees Celsius. Is the thermometer linear over this range? If it is assumed to be linear between 0 degrees and 100 degrees, will a temperature of 50 degrees deduced from a resistance reading of 1.73 ohms be higher or lower than the true temperature? 

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend: 

The study of thermodynamic properties of solution has two complementary aspects, reflecting alternatives in the analysis. If we assume that we know the dependencies on temperature, pressure, and concentration of the chemical potentials of all components in all of the phases involved, the purpose of the thermodynamic analysis is to predict the characteristics of the equilibrium state. 

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce: 

Prepare a thermodynamic analysis following an experiment. 

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate: 

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented in conducting experiments and preparing precise and detailed records. 

A high school diploma emphasizing science and math or its equivalent is a minimum requirement for this occupation. An associate degree is required for the more challenging positions, especially in chemical related high technology companies.

NOTE: A High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation. 

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script: 

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***  

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE 

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***  

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script. 

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

 028 CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY 

Programs in Chemical Technology provide opportunities to gain the technical knowledge and skills needed to supply supportive services to chemists and engineers. Industries involved in the production of fertilizers, plastics, synthetic fibers, and other industries related to chemistry, employ persons trained in Chemical Engineering Technology. 

Courses vary from school to school but may include: 

Postsecondary programs in chemical technology may offer opportunities for experience. Experience may be gained through part-time employment in university labs. Formal apprenticeships and military opportunities exist also. 

School-to-Work opportunities include: 

informal apprenticeships 

mentorships 

job shadowing experiences 

touring a local Chemical Technician employer 

internships 

volunteer work with a Chemical Technician employer 

community service work with an agency 

Chemical Technicians may find jobs through the placement services provided by the technical institutes or the community colleges they attended or through direct application to employers. Michigan Works! offices may help locate jobs. Some federal government agencies hire and train high school graduates for Chemical Laboratory Technician jobs. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as: 

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services. 

The earnings of Chemical Technicians vary depending on their education, ability, work experience, level of responsibility, employer, and geographic location. Technicians with associate degrees usually earn higher salaries than those with high school diplomas. 

Nationally (2007), the median annual salary of Chemical Technicians was $40,820.  In the Federal government (2008), Chemical Technicians with a high school diploma and no experience started at $17,046 per year. Those with an associate's degree and no experience started at $19,165; and those with a bachelor's degree started at $23,475 or $29,276, depending on their academic record. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas. 

Chemical Technicians employed by several government agencies in Michigan had annual earnings of (mid 2008): 

Chemical Technicians may receive paid sick leave, health and life insurance, paid holidays and vacations, and pension plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer. Some employers may offer stock purchase/savings plans and tuition reimbursement. 

Promotion depends on the individual's training, ability to perform efficiently, acceptance of additional responsibility, ability to work with a minimum of supervision, seniority, and additional education. Because a basic education in Chemical Laboratory Technology prepares the graduate for employment in most laboratory settings, a variety of advancement possibilities exist. Graduates with an associate degree continue to work toward a bachelor's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biology, or other related fields. It is not unusual for persons holding bachelor's degrees to work as high level technicians. 

Nationally, there were about 61,200 Chemical Technicians employed in 2006. Employment of Chemical Technicians is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. In addition to openings due to growth, other openings will occur each year due to replacement of those who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. Graduates of postsecondary school technician training programs will have the best employment opportunities.   The industry distribution for Chemical Technicians looked like this: 

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.