Physical Science Technology
Quick Facts: Physical Science Technology Training
Where it's offered
Physical Science Technology programs are offered at 17 schools across 5 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $54,444/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 8 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Physical Science Technology — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 17 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 51/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Physical Science Technology Graduates Do
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.
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Your career begins by mastering specific equipment and safety protocols, often under the guidance of a senior tech. With experience, you’ll gain independence, becoming a go-to expert for complex analyses or a lead operator overseeing a critical production line. This progression brings higher earning potential, with experienced specialists commanding significantly higher salaries. The job market is steady, with consistent demand from growing sectors like chemical manufacturing and environmental protection. While AI may assist with analyzing data or predicting maintenance, it can’t physically troubleshoot a reactor or calibrate a sensitive instrument. Your practical, hands-on expertise remains the core of the job.
You may also want to compare Physical Science Technology with Science Technology Studies, Radiologic Technology, and Biotechnology on earnings and ROI.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 8 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Physical Science Technology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chemical Engineering Technician
RAPIDS 969 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $47K – $57,790 – $73K | 3.7% |
|
Chemical Laboratory Technician
RAPIDS 50 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $47K – $57,790 – $73K | 3.7% |
|
Chemical Operator Iii
RAPIDS 791 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $46K – $57,090 – $71K | 3.3% |
|
Chemistry Quality Control Technician
RAPIDS 1134HY |
2000-3000 hrs | Hybrid | $47K – $57,790 – $73K | 3.7% |
|
Laboratory Technician
RAPIDS 268 |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Time | $47K – $57,790 – $73K | 3.7% |
|
Laboratory Tester
RAPIDS 269 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $47K – $57,790 – $73K | 3.7% |
|
Plant Operator, Furnace Pro
RAPIDS 393 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $57K – $73,540 – $98K | -6.1% |
|
Weather Observer-Metero Tech
RAPIDS 1 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $46K – $60,130 – $78K | 3.5% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Physical Science Technology Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Physical Science Technology is offered at 17 schools across 5 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Physical Science Technology Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Physical Science Technology programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
17 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lee College Baytown, TX |
75 70–77 |
| 2 | Kilgore College Kilgore, TX |
72 69–74 |
| 3 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX |
72 67–74 |
| 4 | Houston Community College Houston, TX |
71 67–73 |
| 5 | Alvin Community College Alvin, TX |
71 66–73 |
| 6 | Alvin Community College Alvin, TX |
71 66–72 |
| 7 | College of the Mainland Texas City, TX |
70 64–72 |
| 8 | Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TX |
69 63–72 |
| 9 | Lamar State College-Orange Orange, TX |
68 62–70 |
| 10 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL |
68 65–70 |
| 11 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TX |
66 62–67 |
| 12 | Wharton County Junior College Wharton, TX |
66 59–68 |
| 13 | Ashland Community and Technical College Ashland, KY |
64 61–66 |
| 14 | Lamar Institute of Technology Beaumont, TX |
64 57–67 |
| 15 | Weber State University Ogden, UT |
56 54–58 |
| 16 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TX |
50 48–52 |
| 17 | Washington County Career Center-Adult Technical Training Marietta, OH |
45 41–47 |
Highest Earning Physical Science Technology Programs
Schools where Physical Science Technology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Lee College | $94,986/yr | 75 |
| Kilgore College | $68,335/yr | 72 |
| Ashland Community and Technical College | $61,539/yr | 64 |
| Houston Community College | $60,612/yr | 71 |
| San Jacinto Community College | $59,496/yr | 72 |
| Del Mar College | $56,948/yr | 69 |
| Alvin Community College | $54,543/yr | 71 |
| Lone Star College System | $53,976/yr | 66 |
| Alvin Community College | $52,336/yr | 71 |
| Weber State University | $51,384/yr | 56 |
Best ROI for Physical Science Technology
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Physical Science Technology.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Mainland | 375.2x | $49,694/yr | 70 |
| Alvin Community College | 324.7x | $54,543/yr | 71 |
| Alvin Community College | 284.4x | $52,336/yr | 71 |
| Lee College | 282.3x | $94,986/yr | 75 |
| San Jacinto Community College | 219.0x | $59,496/yr | 72 |
| Wharton County Junior College | 209.5x | $45,277/yr | 66 |
| Lamar Institute of Technology | 193.9x | $42,539/yr | 64 |
| Lamar State College-Orange | 181.3x | $49,932/yr | 68 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | 165.2x | $47,820/yr | 68 |
| Del Mar College | 160.3x | $56,948/yr | 69 |
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