by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 10 U.S. colleges awarded 85 degrees and certificates in Chemical Process Technology. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 64% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Chemical Process Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $54,327 one year after completing, rising to $85,929 after four years.
Studying Chemical Process Technology involves the study of Chemical Process Technology. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Scientific Principles And Technical Skills To The Operation Of Chemical Processing Equipment In Industries Such As Chemical Manufacturing, Petroleum Refining, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, And Waste Water Treatment. Includes Instruction In Mathematics, Chemistry, And Physics; Computer Applications; Chemical And Refinery Plant Operations, Processes, And Equipment; Safety, Health, And Environment; Instrumentation; Troubleshooting; And Applications To Specific Industries. Examples: [Process Technology].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, chemical process technology is a popular field of study, with 85 degrees awarded annually. 10 colleges award chemical process technology degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 28.
By level, the 85 awards include 13 certificates, 54 associate degrees and 18 master’s degrees.
Women earned 21% of chemical process technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (18 of 85). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (43) and Black or African American (22).
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Chemical Process Technology Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees. It also ranks chemical process technology schools within 1 state. In all, 10 colleges offer chemical process technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Chemical Process Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common chemical process technology credential is the associate degree: 54 of the 85 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to chemical process technology call most for Monitoring, Operations Monitoring and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Production and Processing, Chemistry and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a chemical process technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 13 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 54 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 18 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to chemical process technology, at 46.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 46.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.0% |
| Some college courses | 13.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
| Master’s degree | 0.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Chemical Process Technology, with an average median salary of $74,468; the strongest outlook belongs to Quality Control Analysts, at 12.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Chemical Process Operator, Process Operator, Chemical Plant Operator and Chemical Operator.
The occupation related to chemical process technology with the most projected jobs is Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders, at 312,202.
| 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% |
| 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% |
Chemical Process Technology graduates earn a median $54,327 one year after completing their program, $85,929 after four years and $93,283 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $54,327 |
| 4 years | $85,929 |
| 5 years | $93,283 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to chemical process technology 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 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $64,527 |
| Chemical Technicians | $60,181 |
| Quality Control Analysts | $53,423 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $27,362 |
Chemical Process Technology has 2 similar majors in the Science Technologies field, which together award 2,881 degrees a year; the largest are Chemical Technology/Technician (2,879) and Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other (2). Browse all Science Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemical Technology/Technician | 2,879 |
| Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
