Chemical Technicians

Employers

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are 58,300 chemical technicians currently employed. Approximately 30 percent work in chemical manufacturing, and 18 percent work in laboratories and related services.

Almost all chemical laboratories employ chemical technicians to assist their chemists or chemical engineers with research as well as routine laboratory work. Therefore, chemical technicians can find employment wherever chemistry is involved: in industrial laboratories, in government agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, and at colleges and universities. They can work in almost any field of chemical activity, such as industrial manufacturing of all kinds, pharmaceuticals, food, and production of chemicals.

Starting Out

Graduates of chemical technology programs often find jobs during the last term of their two-year programs. Some companies work with local community colleges and technical schools to maintain a supply of trained chemical technicians. Recruiters often visit most colleges where chemical technology programs are offered.

Internships and co-op work are highly regarded by employers, and participation in such programs is a good way to enhance your resume. Many two- and four-year schools have co-op programs in which full-time students work for a local company in exchange for college credit. Students in these programs develop a good knowledge of the employment possibilities and frequently stay with their co-op employers.

More and more companies are using contract workers to perform technicians' jobs, and this is another way to enter the field. There are local agencies that place technicians with companies for special projects or temporary assignments that last anywhere from a month to a year or more. Many of these contract workers are later hired on a full-time basis.