Chemical Technician Salary
Chemical Technicians earn a median $60,390 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What chemical technicians do
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.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.9% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 7,600
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of chemical technicians is projected to grow 4.9% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Chemical Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,067
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,744
- Medicare (1.45%)$876
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$50,703
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,740 | $20.07 | $35,718 |
| 25th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 | $41,174 |
| Median (50th) | $60,390 | $29.03 | $50,703 |
| 75th percentile | $75,900 | $36.49 | $62,226 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,040 | $44.25 | $73,580 |
Best cities for chemical technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $65,050 | $54,448 | $55,205 | 2,620 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $60,320 | $47,987 | $42,631 | 3,120 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Houston, TX — $65,050
- New York, NY — $60,320
Chemical Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $85,850 | +2.8% | $67,036 | $47,690 – $111,950 | 960 |
| Alaska | $79,380 | +29.3% | $64,674 | $48,800 – $114,430 | 100 |
| Delaware | $78,620 | +21.1% | $60,291 | $44,520 – $94,660 | 540 |
| South Carolina | $75,020 | +26.0% | $58,262 | $48,860 – $81,820 | 2,080 |
| Missouri | $68,550 | +16.8% | $54,770 | $43,960 – $101,140 | 720 |
| Massachusetts | $67,570 | +4.1% | $53,207 | $48,730 – $92,720 | 1,780 |
| Arizona | $65,860 | +4.5% | $53,661 | $46,140 – $93,040 | 390 |
| Vermont | $65,560 | +7.6% | $52,991 | $49,530 – $89,040 | 150 |
| Hawaii | $63,910 | — | $50,205 | $45,760 – $118,610 | 40 |
| Colorado | $63,770 | −1.2% | $51,322 | $46,850 – $94,970 | 1,180 |
| Nebraska | $62,640 | +5.8% | $50,541 | $39,420 – $86,200 | 280 |
| Texas | $62,580 | −3.0% | $52,463 | $43,970 – $105,650 | 6,090 |
| Minnesota | $62,400 | +14.8% | $49,599 | $48,030 – $92,550 | 870 |
| Washington | $62,100 | +11.0% | $52,077 | $46,390 – $87,610 | 730 |
| Illinois | $61,890 | +0.1% | $48,990 | $40,490 – $95,520 | 1,320 |
| Rhode Island | $61,680 | +24.1% | $50,044 | $38,060 – $102,540 | 190 |
| Kansas | $61,560 | +11.0% | $49,008 | $43,170 – $80,840 | 370 |
| Nevada | $61,520 | +22.4% | $51,611 | $44,480 – $86,720 | 1,050 |
| New York | $60,900 | +5.5% | $48,422 | $41,600 – $83,190 | 2,200 |
| Kentucky | $60,830 | +10.6% | $49,045 | $40,940 – $97,810 | 700 |
| Oklahoma | $60,020 | −6.0% | $48,251 | $35,410 – $97,380 | 610 |
| Ohio | $59,750 | +9.2% | $49,328 | $42,000 – $86,390 | 3,120 |
| California | $59,510 | +5.1% | $47,603 | $44,070 – $88,900 | 6,800 |
| Wisconsin | $59,440 | +4.4% | $48,106 | $41,320 – $81,830 | 1,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,420 | +0.5% | $48,100 | $41,090 – $85,890 | 2,710 |
| Indiana | $59,290 | +14.1% | $48,100 | $37,650 – $94,300 | 1,990 |
| North Carolina | $59,030 | +20.8% | $47,764 | $45,280 – $83,110 | 2,660 |
| West Virginia | $58,750 | −7.9% | $47,476 | $40,570 – $81,810 | 230 |
| New Jersey | $58,580 | +1.6% | $47,560 | $46,380 – $81,390 | 2,730 |
| Michigan | $58,180 | +0.9% | $46,706 | $44,520 – $85,520 | 2,220 |
| Alabama | $58,150 | +10.4% | $46,261 | $37,990 – $84,930 | 1,190 |
| Georgia | $58,120 | +12.1% | $46,486 | $42,560 – $94,070 | 850 |
| Iowa | $58,090 | +11.3% | $47,300 | $44,750 – $74,070 | 440 |
| Oregon | $57,960 | +16.1% | $44,509 | $43,840 – $73,060 | 340 |
| North Dakota | $57,760 | +8.4% | $48,590 | $46,840 – $71,260 | 150 |
| Connecticut | $57,310 | +12.6% | $46,575 | $41,040 – $81,630 | 510 |
| District of Columbia | $56,530 | +16.0% | $45,374 | $38,670 – $69,820 | 30 |
| Wyoming | $56,320 | +7.2% | $47,433 | $39,180 – $106,290 | 230 |
| New Mexico | $55,120 | −12.0% | $45,044 | $45,840 – $97,680 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $54,840 | +7.5% | $46,244 | $41,290 – $77,990 | 1,470 |
| Mississippi | $54,580 | +0.9% | $44,584 | $36,150 – $81,690 | 480 |
| Idaho | $54,560 | −0.9% | $44,236 | $36,040 – $77,080 | 170 |
| Florida | $54,050 | +15.3% | $45,609 | $39,200 – $75,560 | 1,840 |
| Montana | $52,890 | +5.4% | $42,948 | $41,510 – $102,620 | 240 |
| Virginia | $51,850 | +2.3% | $41,674 | $34,390 – $80,680 | 1,370 |
| Maine | $49,280 | +4.1% | $39,632 | $45,010 – $68,850 | 100 |
| Maryland | $49,280 | +3.2% | $39,799 | $33,550 – $73,090 | 590 |
| South Dakota | $49,030 | +2.2% | $41,576 | $41,530 – $60,430 | 90 |
| Utah | $49,030 | −7.3% | $40,335 | $38,550 – $86,590 | 580 |
| New Hampshire | $48,940 | +3.6% | $41,503 | $32,960 – $65,020 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $45,230 | −3.2% | $36,971 | $35,190 – $83,040 | 500 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,990 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,280 | Associate's degree | +4.4% |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 | Bachelor's degree | +7.4% |
| Hydrologic Technician | $64,790 | Associate's degree | -1.3% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,090 | Associate's degree | +6.9% |
| Forest and Conservation Technician | $54,560 | Associate's degree | -2.1% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,350 | Associate's degree | +3.6% |
| Food Science Technician | $52,130 | Associate's degree | +4.8% |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,630 | Associate's degree | +5.4% |
| Forensic Science Technician | $72,060 | Bachelor's degree | +13.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical technician make?
The national median salary for chemical technicians is $60,390 a year ($29.03 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,740 and the top 10% earn over $92,040. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays chemical technicians the most?
Louisiana has the highest median pay at $85,850. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many chemical technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 57,540 people work as chemical technicians nationwide.