"Most employers of chemical technicians prefer to hire graduates of two-year college programs specifically designed to train technicians. The employment outlook for chemical technicians varies according to the industry in which they are employed…..There will always be a demand for technicians who can contribute to the development of successful new products and to finding more efficient and economical ways to produce these products. Because of this, employment levels for technicians in general are expected to rise faster than the average….."

Surveys of the larger Coastal Bend Industries project starting salaries for Chemical Laboratory Technicians to range in the area of $34,000+ . Smaller companies might offer lower, but still substantial, wages.

Read some of the words of a chemical technician that works at one of Mobile Oil Corporation's refineries, and is a member of their Laboratory Hiring Committee:

Wanted: Skilled People with People Skills

Gone are the days of excessive waste and extra manpower. Today's businesses aim to be leaner, more competitive. To accomplish this, many companies resort to cutting expenses and even reducing staff. As a result, companies require maximum return on their newly hired employees.

Just like any business, manufacturing industries need to hire people who are highly skilled and can handle the challenges of a dynamic work setting . Nowhere is this truer than in the laboratory.  Increased awareness of health, safety, environmental, and legal issues has created a need for skilled chemical lab technicians to meet these challenges.

Not only does a company need employees that are skilled people; it needs employees with people skills. The ability to work as a team leads to a more productive organization.