Science Technology Studies
What Science Technology Studies Graduates Do
Your career begins where the data is born—out in the field or inside the lab. One day you might be in waders, using probes and GPS to collect soil and water samples for an environmental study. The next, you could be in a clean lab, calibrating sensitive instruments, preparing biological specimens for analysis, or running tests on new materials for a research scientist. Your role is to be the hands-on expert, ensuring the equipment is working perfectly and the raw data is collected with precision.
As you gain experience, you’ll move from following set procedures to troubleshooting complex equipment and managing projects. You might lead a field team or become the go-to specialist for a particular lab technology. This progression brings higher earnings as you take on more responsibility. Senior technicians often become lab managers or, with an entrepreneurial spirit, even start their own specialized environmental testing firms.
While AI is becoming a useful tool for analyzing the data you collect, it can’t perform the physical work. The core of your job—collecting samples in the real world and operating tangible lab equipment—requires your hands-on skill and judgment.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship occupation related to Science Technology Studies. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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.
Best Schools for Science Technology Studies
4 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.
| # | School | Score | EarningsEarn | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MI |
65 60–67 |
$53,078/yr | 95.6x |
| 2 | Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, NV |
61 56–63 |
$45,268/yr | 82.1x |
| 3 | Pierpont Community and Technical College Fairmont, WV |
59 53–62 |
$51,538/yr | 58.3x |
| 4 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV |
41 33–45 |
$24,614/yr | 56.0x |
Highest Earning Science Technology Studies Programs
Schools where Science Technology Studies graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland Community College | $53,078/yr | 65 |
| Pierpont Community and Technical College | $51,538/yr | 59 |
| Truckee Meadows Community College | $45,268/yr | 61 |
| College of Southern Nevada | $24,614/yr | 41 |
Best ROI for Science Technology Studies
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Science Technology Studies.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland Community College | 95.6x | $53,078/yr | 65 |
| Truckee Meadows Community College | 82.1x | $45,268/yr | 61 |
| Pierpont Community and Technical College | 58.3x | $51,538/yr | 59 |
| College of Southern Nevada | 56.0x | $24,614/yr | 41 |
Related Majors
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Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Science Technology Studies degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.