Physical Science Technologies/Technicians at Texas State Technical College
serving 9,153 students in Waco, TX.
Program Analysis
Texas State Technical College's Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates start at $42,769/yr, trailing the $54,443 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
The 31.1x 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.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,084 in median debt clears fast against $42,769 in annual earnings.
At #16 out of 17 programs, Texas State Technical College's financial outcomes for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
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 →