by our College Data Analytics TeamChemical Technology/Technician was the 360th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 2,803 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 11.1% reduction in chem tech degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 3,113.
Our 2023 Best Chemical Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes 12 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for chemical technology/technician students. Explore this or one of our many other custom chem tech rankings further below.
Monitoring assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action is a required skill for chem tech majors. Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
chemical technology/technician degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific chem tech careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different chem tech degree levels. Chemical Technology/Technician programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest chem tech degree you can get. Depending on the chemical technology/technician degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to chem tech, with approximately 21.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for chem tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 42.4% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 22.9% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 22.2% |
| Some College Courses | 6.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in chemical technology/technician careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the chem tech career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your chem tech degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chemical technology/technician.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | 70,400 | -5.0% |
| Chemical Technicians | 70,000 | 4.0% |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | 30,100 | -9.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for chem tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for chemical technology/technician graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers chem tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $61,570 |
| Chemical Technicians | $51,670 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $51,070 |
With over 130 different chem tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased chem tech school rankings to help you with this.
Chemical Technology/Technician is one of 2 different types of Physical Science Technicians programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemical Process Technology | 100 |
| Other Physical Science Technologies/Technicians | 6 |
