Science technicians are primarily employed in private industry at research and development and product laboratories. Biotechnology laboratories are employing many biological technicians, and the number of facilities and job openings is expected to grow. Chemical technicians are employed primarily in the private sector by chemical and petroleum refining and development firms. Many biological and chemical technicians are employed in the pharmaceutical industry. Academic institutions are the other major employer of science technicians. Nearly half of all biological technicians are employed at colleges and universities. The federal and state governments also employ science technicians. In the federal government, these technicians work primarily at the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Commerce, and Defense. State departments of environmental protection and agriculture are the primary magnets for technicians. Due to the large number of recent military base closures and hazardous and toxic waste cleanup programs, biological and chemical technicians may find a growing job market with government agencies overseeing these projects and the private companies contracted to do the actual environmental remediation work.
Salary Statistics
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual earnings for all science technicians, including biological and chemical technicians, was about $24,700 in 1990; the middle 50 percent earned between $17,700 and $32,000 per year. Ten percent earned less than $13,700, and 10 percent earned more than $42,000. Starting salaries in the federal government are on par with private industry. Entry-level technicians with a two-year degree can expect to earn between $18,340 and $19,562, depending upon experience. Bachelor-degree holders can expect a starting salary of between $22,717 and $24,231 per year.
Special Certifications
There are no special certifications for this occupation.
Setting
Science technicians work under a variety of conditions. Most work indoors in well-equipped and comfortable laboratories. These technicians usually work a 40-hour week but, in some cases, such as the need to continually monitor an experiment, may be required to work longer. Some biological technicians may be required to work outdoors collecting and monitoring data. They may be required to travel far from home, sometimes to remote places where living and weather conditions are unpredictable. Chemical technicians sometimes work with toxic or hazardous chemicals. While there is a chance of injury, the risk is usually little if proper safety procedures are followed.
Sources Of Further Information
- American Chemical Society 1155 16th St., NW Washington, DC 20036
- The society distributes a free pamphlet entitled Chemistry and Your Career. They also operate the Employment Clearing House, which is a job bank for members.
- American Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 9650 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20814-3996
- American Institute of Biological Sciences Office of Career Services 730 11th St, NW Washington, DC 20001-4521
- American Institute of Chemists National Certification Commission in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 7315 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814
- Chemical Manufacturers Association 2501 M. St., NW Washington, DC 20037
- Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association 1001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036
- Ecological Society of America Center for Environmental Studies Arizona State University Tempe, AZ 85287
- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 9650 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20814
- Society of Industrial Microbiology Information Officer P.O. Box 12534 Arlington, VA 22209
