Science Technology Studies
Quick Facts: Science Technology Studies Training
Where it's offered
Science Technology Studies programs are offered at 4 schools across 3 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 $43,625/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 1 registered apprenticeship pathway related to Science Technology Studies — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 4 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 45/100. 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 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.
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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.
Closely-related paths include Physical Science Technology, Biotechnology, and Radiologic Technology, which share overlapping job markets and training components.
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.
Find Science Technology Studies Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Science Technology Studies is offered at 4 schools across 3 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Science Technology Studies Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Science Technology Studies 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.
4 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MI |
65 60–67 |
| 2 | Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, NV |
61 56–63 |
| 3 | Pierpont Community and Technical College Fairmont, WV |
59 53–62 |
| 4 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV |
41 33–45 |
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
Explore similar fields of study.
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 and ROI.