Occupation Profile

Chemical Technicians

(SOC Code : 19-4031)

in California

Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for purposes, such as 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.

Employers are usually looking for candidates with a Associate degree .

Occupational Wages

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Area	Year	Period	Hourly Mean	Hourly by Percentile
				25th	Median	75th
California	2012	1st Qtr	$22.68	$16.24	$21.16	$27.22

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")

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Area	Estimated Year-Projected Year	Employment		Employment Change		Annual Avg Openings
		Estimated	Projected	Number	Percent
California	2010 - 2020	6,200	7,100	900	14.5	180

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Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange

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Enter a Zip Code Find a Zip code in California

Within miles of Zip Code.

Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)

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Industry Title

Number of Employers in State of California

Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California

Pharmaceutical & Medicine Manufacturing

364

27.5%

Architectural and Engineering Services

23,211

23.9%

Scientific Research and Development Svc

5,742

23.4%

Cleaning Compound and Toiletry Mfg

249

2.8%

Beverage & Tobacco Product Manufacturing

2,610

1.4%

Employment Services

6,297

1.3%

Chemical Merchant Wholesalers

756

1.2%

Petroleum & Coal Products Manufacturing

287

1.1%

About Staffing Patterns

Training Programs (click on title for more information)

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Program Title

Chemical Technology/Technician

About Training & Apprenticeships

About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)

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Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)

Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.

Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.

Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.

Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.

Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.

Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.

Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.

Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.

Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.

Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.

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Top Skills used in this Job

Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Time Management - Managing one`s own time and the time of others.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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Top Abilities (Attributes of the person that influence performance in this job.)

Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

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Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)

Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.

Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

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Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)

Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

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Alternate Titles

Analytical Lab Technicians; Analytical Technicians; Environmental Lab Technicians; Formulation Technicians; Laboratory Analysts; Laboratory Technicians; Laboratory Testers; Research and Development Technicians; Research Technicians