National
| Median wages (2008) |
$20.25 hourly, $42,120 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
61,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Slower than average (3% to 6%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
24,000 additional employees |
19-4031.00 - Chemical Technicians
Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for purposes, such as 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst), Research Technician, Analytical Lab Technician, Laboratory Tester (Lab Tester), Research and Development Technician, Analytical Technician, Chemical Technician, Environmental Lab Technician, Formulation Technician
Tasks
- Monitor product quality to ensure compliance to standards and specifications.
- Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
- Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation techniques, and microscopy.
- Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials.
- Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams, and by conducting laboratory and plant safety audits.
- Prepare chemical solutions for products and processes following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
- Maintain, clean, and sterilize laboratory instruments and equipment.
- Write technical reports or prepare graphs and charts to document experimental results.
- Provide technical support and assistance to chemists and engineers.
- Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.
back to top
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Fume hoods or cupboards — Exhaust hoods; Explosion-proof fume hoods; Perchloric acid hoods; Radioisotope fume hoods |
| Gas burners — Bunsen burners; Laminar flow burners; Meker burners |
| Laboratory balances — Single-pan balances; Torsion balances; Unequal-arm balances; Westphal balances |
| Laboratory flasks — Claisen flasks; Reaction flasks; Vacuum flask traps; Volumetric flasks |
| Laboratory vacuum pumps — Computer-controlled pumps; Diffusion pumps; Volume displacement pumps; Water aspirators |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Laboratory information management system LIMS software |
| Data base user interface and query software — Database software |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
