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What's the salary outlook for Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians and is it growing?

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Research & DevelopmentStable

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

Operational-level

Also known as: Assistant Oceanographer, Biomedical Instrument Technician, City Planning Aide, Colorist

Research & DevelopmentBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a science technician, you support scientists by performing essential tasks in labs or out in the field. You might collect samples, set up experiments, analyze data using specialized software, or operate complex scientific equipment. You could work in fields ranging from environmental studies to medical research, helping with investigations into the natural world, human behavior, or physical phenomena. This job suits you if you enjoy hands-on work, are detail-oriented, and love contributing to scientific discoveries.
Life Science TechnologyPhysical Science TechnologySocial Science ResearchLaboratory SupportScientific Data CollectionResearchScienceTechnical SupportSTEM

A Day in the Life

You swipe your badge at 7:45 AM, stepping into the steady hum of the environmental lab in downtown Portland. First, you check the incubator where water samples from the Willamette River are culturing overnight. You calibrate the Hach HQ40D portable pH meter and verify the spectrophotometer is ready for the day's assays. Your lab coat goes on, gloves are donned, and you begin carefully labeling a fresh rack of test tubes, preparing for the initial round of dissolved oxygen testing.

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

+4.4%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

11,200

per year (US)

Jobs today

89,500

in 2025 → 93,400 (2035)

Typical entry education

Associate's degree

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook.

Future Perspective

Stable Job Market

This career offers a stable outlook with about 11,200 job openings each year through 2035, and a projected employment change of +4.4%. The median annual wage for these roles is $62,280. With experience, you can advance to senior technician roles or specialize in specific scientific areas, earning a good salary.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Laboratory Assistant
  • Field Technician Assistant
  • Research Aide

Where it can lead

  • Senior Science Technician
  • Laboratory Manager
  • Research Associate

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will increasingly automate routine data collection, initial data analysis, and experimental monitoring tasks, allowing technicians to focus on more complex experimental setups, critical thinking, and interpretation. They will need to adapt by learning to operate AI-powered tools and interpret algorithm outputs, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in scientific research. This shift will likely elevate their role to include more advanced problem-solving and collaboration with scientists.