Science Technologies and Technicians: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Science Technologies and Technicians programs prepare individuals for hands-on roles in scientific research, laboratory operations, and technical support across diverse scientific fields. This interdisciplinary curriculum equips learners with practical expertise in applying scientific principles to real-world challenges, emphasizing precision, analytical thinking, and innovation in technical environments.
- Biological Sciences Applications: Practical training in cellular biology, microbiology, and genetic analysis, focusing on laboratory techniques used in medical, agricultural, and environmental research.
- Chemical Analysis and Instrumentation: Mastery of modern analytical tools such as spectrophotometers, chromatographs, and mass spectrometers for identifying and quantifying chemical substances.
- Environmental Monitoring and Testing: Development of skills in collecting, processing, and interpreting environmental data related to air, water, and soil quality for regulatory and sustainability purposes.
- Physical Science Methods: Application of principles from physics and materials science to conduct experiments, calibrate equipment, and support engineering or industrial research.
- Research Support and Data Management: Training in maintaining experimental records, managing digital datasets, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality assurance standards in scientific settings.
- Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Instruction in laboratory safety protocols, hazard communication, and adherence to federal, state, and industry-specific regulations governing scientific operations.
Science Technologies and Technicians Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Science Technologies and Technicians Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Science Technologies and Technicians degrees, including Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other, Hydrologic Technicians and Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health. 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 123,440 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other 19-4099 | $60,130 | $37,310 - $101,870 | 71,400 | $28.91 |
| Hydrologic Technicians 19-4044 | $58,570 | $40,330 - $94,310 | 2,940 | $28.16 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health 19-4042 | $49,490 | $36,130 - $85,630 | 39,390 | $23.79 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians 19-4043 | $48,390 | $32,830 - $92,210 | 9,710 | $23.27 |
Science Technologies and Technicians Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,680 in Delaware to $73,550 in District of Columbia—a 72% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 123,440 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 Science Technologies and Technicians by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 56 institutions offering Science Technologies and Technicians 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 Science Technologies and Technicians is found at College of Southern Nevada (CSN) (348 graduates), Chattahoochee Technical College (341 graduates), Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) (262 graduates), Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) (185 graduates), and Frederick Community College (FCC) (153 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,518 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Associate's
|
348 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Associate's
|
341 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) |
Associate's
|
262 | Reno, Nevada | Public | tmcc.edu |
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Associate's
|
185 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| Frederick Community College (FCC) |
Associate's
|
153 | Frederick, Maryland | Public | frederick.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Associate's
|
151 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College |
Associate's
|
137 | Valdosta, Georgia | Public | wiregrass.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
|
114 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Oakland Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
92 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Public | oaklandcc.edu |
| Trinidad State College (TSC) |
Associate's
|
66 | Trinidad, Colorado | Public | trinidadstate.edu |
| Kean University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
58 | Union, New Jersey | Public | kean.edu |
| Savannah Technical College |
Associate's
|
42 | Savannah, Georgia | Public | savannahtech.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Associate's
|
40 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) |
Associate's
|
36 | Clarkston, Georgia | Public | gptc.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Campbell University |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Associate's
|
31 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) |
Associate's
|
26 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augustatech.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Associate's
|
26 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Associate's
|
25 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
21 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Community College of Vermont (CCV) |
Associate's
|
21 | Montpelier, Vermont | Public | ccv.edu |
| Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) |
Associate's
|
21 | Thomasville, Georgia | Public | southernregional.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
19 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Wor-Wic Community College |
Associate's
|
17 | Salisbury, Maryland | Public | worwic.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
16 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | bccc.edu |
| Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | ogeecheetech.edu |
| BridgeValley Community & Technical College (BVCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | South Charleston, West Virginia | Public | bridgevalley.edu |
| Rose State College (RSC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Midwest City, Oklahoma | Public | rose.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Mountwest Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Huntington, West Virginia | Public | mctc.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Salisbury University (SU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Salisbury, Maryland | Public | salisbury.edu |
| Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Sandersville, Georgia | Public | oftc.edu |
| Community College of Aurora (CCA) |
Associate's
|
5 | Aurora, Colorado | Public | ccaurora.edu |
| Duke University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVUP) |
Associate's
|
5 | Parkersburg, West Virginia | Public | wvup.edu |
| Community College of Denver (CCD) |
Associate's
|
3 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ccd.edu |
| Albany Technical College |
Associate's
|
3 | Albany, Georgia | Public | albanytech.edu |
| Blackfeet Community College (BFCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Browning, Montana | Private | bfcc.edu |
| Stone Child College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Box Elder, Montana | Public | stonechild.edu |
| West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Waco, Georgia | Public | westgatech.edu |
| Delaware County Community College (DCCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Media, Pennsylvania | Public | dccc.edu |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Master's
|
2 | Millersville, Pennsylvania | Public | millersville.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Martinsburg, West Virginia | Public | blueridgectc.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAF) |
Associate's
|
1 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Public | uaf.edu |
| College of the Redwoods (CR) |
Associate's
|
1 | Eureka, California | Public | redwoods.edu |
| Arapahoe Community College (ACC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Littleton, Colorado | Public | arapahoe.edu |
| Front Range Community College (FRCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Westminster, Colorado | Public | frontrange.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Reading Area Community College (RACC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Reading, Pennsylvania | Public | racc.edu |
| West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Wheeling, West Virginia | Public | wvncc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Science Technologies and Technicians programs
How much can I earn with a Science Technologies and Technicians degree?
Salaries for Science Technologies and Technicians graduates vary by role and location. Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other earn a median of $60,130 annually, while Hydrologic Technicians earn around $58,570. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $73,550 compared to $42,680 in Delaware. Approximately 123,440 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 Science Technologies and Technicians programs?
Currently 56 accredited institutions offer Science Technologies and Technicians degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include College of Southern Nevada (CSN) (348 graduates), Chattahoochee Technical College (341 graduates), and Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) (262 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 Science Technologies and Technicians growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 940 in 2010 to a peak of 3,145 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,518 in 2023-24. This represents a 168% 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 Science Technologies and Technicians degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other, Hydrologic Technicians, and Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health. Related occupations employ approximately 123,440 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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