Physical Science Technologies/Technicians
Science Technologies
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate's Degree | $90,820 | $71,777 to $99,658 | 17 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +3% (2024 to 2034), about 40,600 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,090 | +3.3% | 14,400 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,130 | +3.5% | 10,600 |
| Chemical Technicians | $57,790 | +3.7% | 6,700 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,490 | +4% | 5,600 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $73,540 | -6.1% | 1,600 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $48,390 | +1.5% | 1,300 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.