by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 19 U.S. colleges awarded 158 degrees and certificates in General Science Technologies/Technicians. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 47% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $71,144 one year after completing, rising to $100,209 after four years.
Do 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general science technologies/technicians draws strong interest, with 158 degrees awarded annually. 19 colleges award general science technologies/technicians degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 30.
By level, the 158 awards include 8 certificates, 75 associate degrees, 41 bachelor’s degrees, 30 master’s degrees and 4 doctorates.
Women earned 68% of general science technologies/technicians degrees and certificates in the latest year (107 of 158). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (82) and Hispanic or Latino (42), and international students earned 4.
The most common general science technologies/technicians credential is the associate degree: 75 of the 158 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general science technologies/technicians call most for Reading Comprehension, Monitoring and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Mathematics, English Language and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Comprehension and Near Vision.
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.
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How long a general science technologies/technicians degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 8 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 75 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 41 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 30 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general science technologies/technicians, at 36.4%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to General Science Technologies/Technicians, with an average median salary of $92,243; the strongest outlook belongs to Quality Control Analysts, at 12.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Hydrographer, GIS Technician (Geographic Information System Technician), Hydrologic Technician and Hydro Operator.
The occupation related to general science technologies/technicians with the most projected jobs is Hydrologic Technicians, at 139,812.
| 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% |
General Science Technologies/Technicians graduates earn a median $71,144 one year after completing their program, $100,209 after four years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $71,144 |
| 4 years | $100,209 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general science technologies/technicians is Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians, with a median salary of $119,992.
| 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 |
General Science Technologies/Technicians includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Science Technologies/Technicians (158). It has 4 similar majors in the Science Technologies field, which together award 6,930 degrees a year; the largest are Physical Science Technologies/Technicians (2,966), Science Technologies/Technicians, Other (2,474) and Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians (1,215). Browse all Science Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Science Technologies/Technicians | 158 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Science Technologies/Technicians | 2,966 |
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | 2,474 |
| Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians | 1,215 |
| Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians | 275 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.