Employment in these occupations is not very sensitive to overall economic conditions and not seasonal. Technologists and technicians often work in a team setting of physical scientists and carry out specialized tasks, such as performing experiments and testing results. Most workers in this occupation are employees of organizations. Self-employment is negligible. People in these occupations must have a college or technical institute diploma.
Most recent entrants have a community college diploma or university degree.
They often need certification by a professional organization in their field. A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification. Some chemical technologists and technicians working in support of fundamental research in chemistry or biochemistry are university graduates. Research and development and quality control laboratories, engineering and geological consulting firms, petroleum and mining companies, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and other manufacturing and processing industries, utilities, and health and educational institutions. Below average growth.