 Career Path Forecast
Employment of
science technicians varies by specialty. Job opportunities are
expected to be best for graduates of applied science technology programs
who are well trained on equipment used in laboratories or production
facilities.
Job growth for chemical
technicians is projected to grow more slowly than the average during the
2006-16 decade. The
chemical manufacturing industry, except pharmaceutical and medicine
manufacturing, is anticipated to experience a decline in overall
employment as companies downsize and turn to outside contractors to
provide specialized services. Some of these contractors will be in other
countries with lower average wages, further limiting employment growth.
An increasing focus on quality assurance will require a greater number
of process technicians, however, stimulating demand for these workers.
However, many openings should arise from the need to replace
technicians who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Job
opportunities are expected to be best for graduates of applied science
technology programs who are well trained on equipment used in
laboratories or production facilities. As the instrumentation and
techniques used in industrial research, development, and production
become increasingly more complex, employers will seek individuals with
highly developed technical skills. Good communication skills are also
increasingly sought by employers.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by
the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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