Physical Science Technologies/Technicians at Houston Community College
serving a student body of 37,970 in Houston, TX.
Program Analysis
At $60,612 per year, Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates from Houston Community College earn slightly above the $54,443 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The 155.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates.
The median debt load of $16,784 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
Ranked #6 out of 17 programs, Houston Community College's Physical Science Technologies/Technicians offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth is modest: $60,612 to $63,218 over five years (4% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
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 →