Chemical Technicians
Machines can already do 33% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 69%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Chemical Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 33% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 31% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 69% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 57,540 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $60,390 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 66% for contact with people.
- Also called: Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab Technician), Chemical Analyst, Chemical Technician, Laboratory Analyst (Lab Analyst).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials | 18% | 30% to 75% | |
| Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy | 14% | 20% to 60% | |
| Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses | 12% | 84% to 97% | |
| Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results | 7% | 76% to 96% | |
| Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills chemical technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $76,780
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists55% of tasks by 2035 · US median $101,370
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,600
- Histotechnologists54% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Chemical Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of chemical technicians?
Machines can do 33% of the tasks of chemical technicians today and 69% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-4031.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Chemical Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/chemical-technicians/