Chemical Technicians

What the job really is

Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-4031
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
• Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
• Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
• Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
• Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
• Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
• Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.
• Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
• Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.
• Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment.
• Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.
• Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.

Tools and technology

C++, Linux, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Oracle Database, Oracle Java, Python, R

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Chemists
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians
• Chemical Engineers
• Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Chemical Plant and System Operators
• Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
• Quality Control Analysts

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Chemical Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.