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.
A degree in General Science Technologies/Technicians explores Science Technologies/technicians, General. A General Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Scientific Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Scientific Research And Development. Includes Instruction In Standard Laboratory Practices And Procedures; Techniques For Analysis, Testing And Inspection; Laboratory Instrumentation And Equipment Operation And Maintenance; Laboratory And Materials Handling Safety; And Computer Applications. Examples: [Science Laboratory Technology].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, general science technologies/technicians is a widely-pursued major, 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
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, Hydrography Technician, GIS Technician (Geographic Information System Technician) and Hydrologic Aid.
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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.