Chemical Technician Careers

Technicians, operators, analysts, and other applied chemical professionals are in high demand for bringing valuable skills to the development of new products, processing methods, and materials. As critical members of scientific teams, they are at the heart of operations in the chemical industry, helping to get products and services to customers.

Applied chemical professionals work in a variety of industries, ranging from industrial chemicals, paints, fuels, and metals to agricultural products, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. Their responsibilities go far beyond collecting data to troubleshooting equipment, analyzing data, presenting results, and working in cross-disciplinary teams.

Advance your career

• Chemical Technology Career Profile
  An in-depth look at careers in chemical technology, including working conditions, salary ranges, and required training
• Skill Standards
  Information on and links to ChemTechStandards, the ACS listing of skill standards for laboratory technicians, process technicians, and laboratory analysts
• National Chemical Technician Award
  Presented annually to a chemical technician with outstanding technical skills, leadership and business acumen, and community involvement

Help advance the workforce

• ChemTechStandards & Partnerships Online Community
  A web-based community devoted to improving the applied chemical professional workforce through partnerships among industry, academia, and the community
• Supporting the Backbone of the Chemical Enterprise
  The report from the Applied Chemical Technology Professionals Summit; includes recommendations for engaging technicians and other members of the applied chemical technology community.

Network with other professionals

• ACS Network
  ACS online networking and discussion forum
• ACS Division of Chemical Technicians
  Technical division dedicated to all aspects of chemical technology careers
• ACS Committee on Technician Affairs
  Governance committee dedicated to the advancement of applied chemical technology professionals in the workplace and ACS

Study to become a technician

• Technician Education
  Information on what it takes to earn a degree in chemical technology
• ACS Scholars
  Scholarship program for underrepresented minority students studying chemistry or chemistry-related fields
• Internships, Summer Jobs, and Cooperative Education
  Information on internships that can help you gain valuable work experience before you graduate
• ACS-Approved Chemical Technology Education Programs
  Chemistry-based technology programs that combine academic excellence with in-depth practical experience

Download more information

• Download the ACS Resource Guide for Chemical Professionals . This brochure highlights the ACS resources available for chemical technicians. Hard copies can be obtained by contacting cta@acs.org.