Description
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.
Interests
- Investigative
- Realistic
- Conventional
Work Values
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Analytical Thinking
- Initiative
Tasks
- 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.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Processing Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Detailed Work Activities
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Technology Skills
- Data base user interface and query software
- Presentation software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
Abilities
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
Skills
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Machinery Lubrication EngineerCertifying Organization
International Council for Machinery Lubrication
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Environmental Analytical TechnologistCertifying Organization
National Registry of Certified Chemists
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Wastewater Lab Analyst Class IICertifying Organization
Water Professionals International
Type
Core
Certificate name
Water Lab Analyst Class ICertifying Organization
Water Professionals International
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $44,788 |
| Median (50%) | $53,838 |
| High (90%) | $75,908 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $54,098 |
| Mid Level | $69,205 |
| Senior Level | $74,533 |
| Expert Level | $86,526 |
Employability
There are currently 58,300 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 61,400 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 6%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 6%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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