Chemical Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Chemical Technology is a hands-on, science-driven field focused on applying advanced chemical principles and technical expertise to support research, development, and industrial processes across diverse sectors. This program equips learners with the practical and theoretical knowledge needed to operate, maintain, and optimize complex chemical systems in laboratory and production environments.
- Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry: Core concepts in molecular structure, reaction mechanisms, and biochemical pathways essential for understanding material behavior and transformation.
- Technical Mathematics: Applied mathematical techniques used to solve real-world problems in chemical calculations, data analysis, and process modeling.
- Computer Applications: Integration of software tools for data acquisition, process simulation, laboratory automation, and digital recordkeeping in chemical workflows.
- Radiochemistry: Study and safe handling of radioactive materials, including their detection, measurement, and applications in research and industry.
- Industrial Biochemistry: Application of biochemical processes to large-scale production, including fermentation, enzyme catalysis, and bioprocessing techniques.
- Chemical Instrumentation: Operation, calibration, and troubleshooting of advanced analytical instruments such as spectrophotometers, chromatographs, and mass spectrometers.
- Physical Chemistry: Exploration of thermodynamics, kinetics, and quantum principles governing chemical systems and their energy transformations.
- Laboratory Research Methods: Standardized protocols for conducting experiments, ensuring accuracy, reproducibility, and adherence to safety and quality control standards.
- Industrial Processing Methods and Equipment: Understanding of large-scale manufacturing systems, including reactors, distillation columns, and separation technologies used in chemical production.
- Test Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Skills in managing, calibrating, and servicing analytical and monitoring devices critical to quality assurance and process optimization.
Chemical Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Chemical Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Chemical Technology degrees, including Chemical Plant and System Operators, Chemical Technicians and Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 200,890 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Plant and System Operators 51-8091 | $73,540 | $48,000 - $107,790 | 17,840 | $35.35 |
| Chemical Technicians 19-4031 | $57,790 | $39,030 - $90,990 | 55,640 | $27.78 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders 51-9011 | $57,090 | $37,270 - $88,460 | 127,410 | $27.45 |
Chemical Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $47,905 in Nevada to $85,743 in Louisiana—a 79% difference. The highest-paying states include Louisiana, North Dakota, and Wyoming. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 200,890 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Chemical Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 63 institutions offering Chemical Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Chemical Technology is found at San Jacinto Community College (388 graduates), Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) (252 graduates), Brazosport College (BC) (249 graduates), Lee College (186 graduates), and Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) (159 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,843 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jacinto Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
388 | Pasadena, Texas | Public | sanjac.edu |
| Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
252 | Melbourne, Florida | Public | easternflorida.edu |
| Brazosport College (BC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
249 | Lake Jackson, Texas | Public | brazosport.edu |
| Lee College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
186 | Baytown, Texas | Public | lee.edu |
| Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
159 | Wharton, Texas | Public | wcjc.edu |
| Alvin Community College (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
123 | Alvin, Texas | Public | alvincollege.edu |
| Lamar State College (LSCO) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
114 | Orange, Texas | Public | lsco.edu |
| Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
112 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fsw.edu |
| Del Mar College (DMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
112 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | delmar.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
103 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
103 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lit.edu |
| Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
97 | Leesburg, Florida | Public | lssc.edu |
| Lamar State College (LSCPA) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
77 | Port Arthur, Texas | Public | lamarpa.edu |
| Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
73 | Ashland, Kentucky | Public | ashland.kctcs.edu |
| College of the Mainland (COM) |
Associate's
|
57 | Texas City, Texas | Public | com.edu |
| Victoria College (VC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
57 | Victoria, Texas | Public | victoriacollege.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
|
57 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Lone Star College System (LSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
55 | The Woodlands, Texas | Public | lonestar.edu |
| Sacramento City College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
50 | Sacramento, California | Public | scc.losrios.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
34 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Maysville Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Other Award
|
32 | Maysville, Kentucky | Public | maysville.kctcs.edu |
| College of Central Florida (CF) |
Other Award
|
28 | Ocala, Florida | Public | cf.edu |
| Seminole State College of Florida |
Associate's
|
28 | Sanford, Florida | Public | seminolestate.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) |
Associate's
|
22 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Public | pfw.edu |
| Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) |
Other Award
|
21 | Hazard, Kentucky | Public | hazard.kctcs.edu |
| SOWELA Technical Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Public | sowela.edu |
| Valencia College |
Associate's
|
18 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| Kilgore College |
Associate's
|
17 | Kilgore, Texas | Public | kilgore.edu |
| Bellingham Technical College (BTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | btc.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Other Award
|
11 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | jefferson.kctcs.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | cfcc.edu |
| Delta College |
Associate's
|
9 | University Center, Michigan | Public | delta.edu |
| SUNY Corning Community College |
Associate's
|
9 | Corning, New York | Public | corning-cc.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Associate's
|
8 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Berkeley City College (BCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeleycitycollege.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRH) |
Associate's
|
7 | Humacao, Puerto Rico | Public | upr.edu |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Schnecksville, Pennsylvania | Public | lccc.edu |
| Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Walla Walla, Washington | Public | wwcc.edu |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | kvcc.edu |
| Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Joplin, Missouri | Public | mssu.edu |
| Bucks County Community College |
Associate's
|
5 | Newtown, Pennsylvania | Public | bucks.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College |
Associate's
|
5 | Martinsburg, West Virginia | Public | blueridgectc.edu |
| East Los Angeles College (ELAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Monterey Park, California | Public | elac.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
4 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Warwick, Rhode Island | Public | ccri.edu |
| Northeast State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Blountville, Tennessee | Public | northeaststate.edu |
| Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Muscle Shoals, Alabama | Public | nwscc.edu |
| South Arkansas College (SouthArk) |
Associate's
|
2 | El Dorado, Arkansas | Public | southark.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| Rice University |
Master's
|
2 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| Santa Fe College (SF) |
Associate's
|
1 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | sfcollege.edu |
| Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) |
Associate's
|
1 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augustatech.edu |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Rome, Georgia | Public | gntc.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Associate's
|
1 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| County College of Morris (CCM) |
Associate's
|
1 | Randolph, New Jersey | Public | ccm.edu |
| Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Espanola, New Mexico | Public | nnmc.edu |
| University of South Dakota (USD) |
Other Award
|
1 | Vermillion, South Dakota | Public | usd.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Chemical Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Chemical Technology degree?
Salaries for Chemical Technology graduates vary by role and location. Chemical Plant and System Operators earn a median of $73,540 annually, while Chemical Technicians earn around $57,790. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Louisiana average $85,743 compared to $47,905 in Nevada. Approximately 200,890 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Chemical Technology programs?
Currently 63 accredited institutions offer Chemical Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include San Jacinto Community College (388 graduates), Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) (252 graduates), and Brazosport College (BC) (249 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Chemical Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,168 in 2010 to a peak of 3,113 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,843 in 2023-24. This represents a 143% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Chemical Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Chemical Plant and System Operators, Chemical Technicians, and Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders. Related occupations employ approximately 200,890 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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