Technician - Career Information
Nearly every industry relies on technicians to perform a wide range of tasks that are essential to their goals. Some of the tasks performed by technicians include, but are not limited to:
- Setting up equipment for team members
- Creating reports using compiled data
- Preparing workspaces for specific experiments or tasks
- Working under the supervision of experts in their field
Many technician careers can be found in the life, physical, and social sciences fields. However, technicians can be found in nearly any industry or business. The following list includes the most popular occupations available to technicians, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians
- Avionics Technicians
- Biological Technicians
- Broadcast Technicians
- Chemical Technicians
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians
- Engineering Technicians
- Environmental Engineering Technicians
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
- Forensic Science Technicians
- Forest and Conservation Technicians
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
- Sound Technicians
- Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
- Electro-Mechanical Technicians
- Geological and Petroleum Technicians
- Nuclear Technicians
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Wind Turbine Technicians
Top Technician Careers (BLS, 2013)
| Career | Number of Workers Nationally in 2013 | Job Description | Degree Requirements |
| Chemical Technicians | 63,880 | According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, chemical technicians monitor chemical experiments and create detailed reports of their findings, set up and maintain equipment, and perform various tasks under the supervision of a chemist or chemical engineer. | The BLS reports that most chemical technicians earn an Associate degree and receive training on-the-job. |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians | 34,510 | These workers inspect buildings and establishments to check for environmental safety hazards or violations. They collect air, soil, and water samples, analyze them, and create plans for environmental improvements. | Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an Associate degree, the BLS reports. However, some positions may require a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. |
| Biological Technicians | 71,590 | Biological technicians conduct biological experiments under the supervision of a biologist or scientist. They maintain laboratory equipment, analyze data they collect, and create detailed reports. | Biological technicians usually need a Bachelor's degree in Biology or a related field in order to gain employment, says the BLS. |
| Industrial Engineering Technicians | 68,520 | Industrial engineering technicians provide assistance to industrial engineers. They analyze construction and engineering designs and plans, look for inefficiencies, and suggest changes that can improve a plan's layout or design. | According to the BLS, most industrial engineering technicians earn an Associate degree or certificate of completion. |
| Civil Engineering Technicians | 69,830 | Civil engineering technicians assist civil engineers as they draft plans for bridges, buildings, airports, and dams. They inspect project sites and test construction materials for safety and quality. | According to the BLS, most civil engineering technicians earn an Associate degree. |
Education Required to Prepare for a Career in Education
Since technician careers vary greatly, the educational requirements for each of these jobs vary as well. However, the vast majority of employers who hire technicians prefer to hire candidates with some postsecondary education, notes the BLS. Meanwhile, earning a degree specific to the field you hope to enter might improve your job prospects further. The following table uses data from the BLS to outline the different degree options in this field and what kind of career they may help you qualify for:
| Degree Type | Timeline for Completion | Possible Careers |
| Certificate | Certificate programs vary in length. However many technician certificate programs can be completed in 1-2 years. | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians, Broadcast Technicians, Sound Technicians,Industrial Engineering Technicians,Electro-Mechanical Technicians |
| Associate | Associate degrees can typically be completed with two years of full-time study. However, programs completed on a part-time basis may take longer. | Nuclear Technicians, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians, Avionics Technicians, Broadcast Technicians, Sound Technicians, Chemical Technicians, Civil Engineering Technicians, Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians, Engineering Technicians, Environmental Engineering Technicians,Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Forest and Conservation Technicians, Industrial Engineering Technicians, Mechanical Engineering Technicians,Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians, Agricultural and Food Science Technicians, Electro-Mechanical Technicians, Geological and Petroleum Technicians, Surveying and Mapping Technicians, Wind Turbine Technicians |
| Bachelor's | Bachelor's degree programs typically take four years of full-time study to complete. | Biological Technicians,Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Forensic Science Technicians,Agricultural and Food Science Technicians, Nuclear Technicians |
Sources:
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," May 2013 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Chemical Technicians, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/chemical-technicians.htm#tab-1
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-science-and-protection-technicians.htm
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Biological Technicians, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biological-technicians.htm
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Industrial Engineering Technicians, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineering-technicians.htm
"Bureau of Labor Statistics," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Civil Engineering Technicians, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineering-technicians.htm
Schools for Technician are listed in the column to the left.
Careers and Salary Data
This table shows summary data on occupations in the US. Clicking on any occupation name brings you to a page showing job prospects and salaries for that occupation in hundreds of metro areas across the country, with data updated through 2022.(Where data is denoted by an asterisk (*), summary info was not available.
Click each Occupation title for more details.
Technician
Selected Schools for Technician (including any online schools)
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