Physical Science Technologies/Technicians at College of the Mainland
a compact campus enrolling 3,342 students in Texas City, TX.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $49,694 track close to the $54,443 national median for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
With a 230.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 40% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Physical Science Technologies/Technicians career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.
At $11,529 in median debt against $49,694 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
A #7 ranking among 17 Physical Science Technologies/Technicians programs places College of the Mainland in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The $49,694-to-$133,394 earnings arc over five years reflects a 168% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.
The 8 apprenticeship pathways connected to Physical Science Technologies/Technicians reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical plant and system operators | $73,540 | -6.1% | 85% |
| Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other | $60,130 | +3.5% | 45% |
| Hydrologic technicians | $58,570 | -2.1% | 50% |
About Physical Science Technologies/Technicians Careers
You could spend your day in a clean lab, preparing chemical solutions and running quality control tests on new materials using instruments like chromatographs and spectrometers. Or, you might be on a manufacturing floor as a chemical equipment operator, monitoring pressure gauges and controlling the complex machinery that produces everything from pharmaceuticals to plastics. As a physical science technician, you are the hands-on expert who makes science work in the real world.
Read the full Physical Science Technologies/Technicians career guide →