Chemical engineering technician
Also known as: chemical engineering developer, production chemistry technician, chemical research technician, chemical process engineering technician, chemical industry engineering technician, chemical engineering worker
About this occupation
Chemical engineering technicians transform raw materials in order to develop and test chemical products. They also work on improving chemical plant operations and processes.
Essential skills and knowledge
- engineering principles
- risk management
- calibrate laboratory equipment
- translate formulae into processes
- engineering processes
- chemistry
- prepare chemical samples
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
- analyse experimental laboratory data
- execute analytical mathematical calculations
- production processes
- perform laboratory tests
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Chemical Technicians (O*NET 19-4031.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
- Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
- Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
- Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
- Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
- Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Science, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Writing, Monitoring
US median pay: US$60,390 a year (2025), 57,540 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.8)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Chemists
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Chemical Engineers
- Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Quality Control Analysts
- Food Science Technicians
- Agricultural Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.