How much does a chemical technician make?
The median chemical technician in the United States earns $60,390 per year, about $29.03 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all chemical technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-4031.
Chemical technician salary range
Pay for chemical technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $41,740 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $92,040. The average (mean) wage of $63,900 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,740 | $20.07 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 | |
| Median (50th) | $60,390 | $29.03 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $75,900 | $36.49 | |
| 90th percentile | $92,040 | $44.25 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for chemical technicians (SOC 19-4031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Chemical technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Chemical technicians earn the most in Louisiana at $85,850 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $45,230. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $85,850 | 960 |
| Alaska | $79,380 | 100 |
| Delaware | $78,620 | 540 |
| South Carolina | $75,020 | 2,080 |
| Missouri | $68,550 | 720 |
| Massachusetts | $67,570 | 1,780 |
| Arizona | $65,860 | 390 |
| Vermont | $65,560 | 150 |
| Hawaii | $63,910 | 40 |
| Colorado | $63,770 | 1,180 |
| Nebraska | $62,640 | 280 |
| Texas | $62,580 | 6,090 |
| Minnesota | $62,400 | 870 |
| Washington | $62,100 | 730 |
| Illinois | $61,890 | 1,320 |
| Rhode Island | $61,680 | 190 |
| Kansas | $61,560 | 370 |
| Nevada | $61,520 | 1,050 |
| New York | $60,900 | 2,200 |
| Kentucky | $60,830 | 700 |
| Oklahoma | $60,020 | 610 |
| Ohio | $59,750 | 3,120 |
| California | $59,510 | 6,800 |
| Wisconsin | $59,440 | 1,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,420 | 2,710 |
| Indiana | $59,290 | 1,990 |
| North Carolina | $59,030 | 2,660 |
| West Virginia | $58,750 | 230 |
| New Jersey | $58,580 | 2,730 |
| Michigan | $58,180 | 2,220 |
| Alabama | $58,150 | 1,190 |
| Georgia | $58,120 | 850 |
| Iowa | $58,090 | 440 |
| Oregon | $57,960 | 340 |
| North Dakota | $57,760 | 150 |
| Connecticut | $57,310 | 510 |
| District of Columbia | $56,530 | 30 |
| Wyoming | $56,320 | 230 |
| New Mexico | $55,120 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $54,840 | 1,470 |
| Mississippi | $54,580 | 480 |
| Idaho | $54,560 | 170 |
| Florida | $54,050 | 1,840 |
| Montana | $52,890 | 240 |
| Virginia | $51,850 | 1,370 |
| Maine | $49,280 | 100 |
| Maryland | $49,280 | 590 |
| South Dakota | $49,030 | 90 |
| Utah | $49,030 | 580 |
| New Hampshire | $48,940 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $45,230 | 500 |
State median wages for chemical technicians (SOC 19-4031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for chemical technicians
The BLS projects employment of chemical technicians to grow 4.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 60,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 63,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,600 openings a year for chemical technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a chemical technician
The typical entry-level education for chemical technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a chemical technician earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Louisiana, $85,850) and the lowest (Arkansas, $45,230) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 57,540 people work as chemical technicians in the United States. At $60,390 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Chemical technician salary FAQ
How much does a chemical technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a chemical technician is $29.03. The middle half of chemical technicians earn between $23.33 and $36.49 per hour.
What is the highest chemical technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of chemical technicians earn more than $92,040 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a chemical technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a chemical technician is $60,390. The average (mean) wage of $63,900 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a chemical technician a well paid job?
At $60,390 a year, a chemical technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 57,540 people work as chemical technicians in the United States.
Which state pays chemical technicians the most?
Louisiana has the highest median salary for chemical technicians at $85,850 a year. Alaska ($79,380) and Delaware ($78,620) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a chemical technician a good career?
Employment of chemical technicians is projected to grow 4.9% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a chemical technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for chemical technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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