Chemical Technicians
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 355 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 63% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
AI could do much of this on its own
Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Operate experimental pilot plants, assisting with experimental design.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Chemists
Very similar work+49% pay355 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 49% more—$93,136 vs your $62,603 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Chemistry
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Written Comprehension
New skills to build
- Administration and Management
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Law and Government
- Mathematical Reasoning
Food Science Technicians
Very similar workslightly less pay136 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$57,023 vs your $62,603 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Chemistry
- Oral Expression
- Reading Comprehension
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Food Production
- Biology
- Production and Processing
Biological Technicians
Very similar work+1% pay636 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 1% more—$62,920 vs your $62,603 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Reading Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Critical Thinking
- Oral Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Biology
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Similar work+15% pay264 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 15% more—$72,261 vs your $62,603 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Design
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Similar work+28% pay96 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 28% more—$80,402 vs your $62,603 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics