Science Technologies/Technicians, General.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Why Science Technologies/Technicians, General. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 17.0%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Science Technologies/Technicians, General. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $60154 and average student debt of $10229, the financial outlook for Science Technologies/Technicians, General. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Science Technologies/Technicians, General., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $60154, with grads carrying about $10229 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.17—which is excellent for paying off loans quickly.
Each year, over 88 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Science Technologies/Technicians, General. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Science Technologies/Technicians, General (CIP 41.0000) is a hands-on STEM field focused on applying scientific principles through practical laboratory, field, and technical work. This degree prepares students to work directly with scientific equipment, experiments, data collection, and testing procedures across a wide range of scientific and industrial environments. Rather than emphasizing abstract theory alone, this program is built around doing science—supporting researchers, engineers, and professionals by turning scientific concepts into reliable, real-world results.
For a degree search site, Science Technologies/Technicians, General represents applied science, workforce readiness, and career efficiency. These professionals are the backbone of laboratories, manufacturing facilities, environmental monitoring programs, healthcare diagnostics, and research institutions. As science and technology continue to advance, the demand for skilled technicians who can operate instruments, follow protocols, and maintain quality standards remains strong. This degree appeals to students who want a direct, practical pathway into STEM careers without committing to long research or theory-heavy tracks.
What Is a Science Technologies/Technicians Degree?
A Science Technologies/Technicians degree is an applied STEM program designed to train students in laboratory techniques, technical procedures, and scientific support skills. It serves as a general classification for programs that prepare technicians to work across multiple scientific domains rather than specializing immediately in one area such as chemistry, biology, or engineering technology.
This degree typically emphasizes:
- Laboratory and technical skills
- Operation of scientific instruments and equipment
- Data collection, recording, and analysis
- Quality control and safety procedures
- Applied problem-solving in scientific settings
Colleges—often community colleges, technical institutes, and applied universities—offer this degree to:
- Prepare students for entry-level technical and laboratory roles
- Support industry and research workforce needs
- Provide a faster pathway into STEM employment
- Serve as a foundation for specialization or further education
Programs frequently include lab-intensive coursework and may lead to associate or bachelor’s degrees.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how scientific work is performed in real laboratories and technical environments. You’ll gain experience following standardized procedures, operating instruments, documenting results, and supporting experiments or production processes. The focus is on accuracy, consistency, and safety.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Laboratory techniques—sample preparation, measurement, and testing
- Equipment operation and maintenance—using scientific instruments properly
- Data collection and documentation—recording results accurately
- Quality control procedures—ensuring reliability and consistency
- Safety and compliance—following lab and workplace regulations
- Basic data analysis—interpreting results and identifying errors
- Technical problem-solving—troubleshooting equipment and procedures
- Team collaboration—supporting scientists, engineers, and supervisors
These skills are directly applicable in laboratory, manufacturing, and technical settings.
Topics You May Explore
Coursework varies by institution, but commonly includes:
- Introduction to Scientific Technology: roles and responsibilities of technicians
- Laboratory Safety and Procedures: chemical, biological, and physical safety
- Measurement and Instrumentation: precision tools and calibration
- Applied Chemistry or Physics: practical scientific foundations
- Biological or Environmental Techniques: sampling and testing methods
- Quality Assurance and Control: standards and documentation
- Technical Mathematics: math for measurements and analysis
- Data Recording and Reporting: lab notebooks and technical reports
- Internship or Practicum: real-world laboratory experience
Many programs emphasize applied labs over lecture-heavy coursework.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Science Technologies/Technicians degree prepares students for immediate entry into technical and support roles across many industries. Advancement often comes with experience, certifications, or specialization.
Common career paths include:
- Laboratory Technician: supporting scientific experiments and testing
- Quality Control Technician: ensuring product standards
- Research or Science Technician: assisting research teams
- Environmental or Field Technician: collecting samples and data
- Manufacturing or Process Technician: supporting production systems
- Clinical or Diagnostic Lab Technician: healthcare testing roles (with requirements)
- Materials or Testing Technician: analyzing physical samples
- Specialization or Transfer Path: advancing into a focused science field
This degree is ideal for students who want to enter the workforce quickly.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in a wide range of applied science environments:
- Research laboratories and universities
- Manufacturing and industrial facilities
- Environmental testing and consulting firms
- Healthcare and diagnostic laboratories
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
- Government agencies and public labs
- Energy, food, and materials industries
Science technicians are essential to keeping scientific operations running smoothly.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary by industry, location, and specialization.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level science or lab technicians: often $40,000–$55,000
- Experienced technicians or specialists: commonly $55,000–$75,000
- Advanced or supervisory technical roles: can reach $80,000–$95,000+
Certifications, experience, and employer sector significantly influence pay.
Is This Degree Hard?
Science Technologies/Technicians, General is considered moderately challenging. The academic math and theory demands are typically lower than pure science degrees, but the program requires precision, consistency, and responsibility. Students must be detail-oriented and comfortable working with equipment and procedures.
The challenge lies in maintaining accuracy, following protocols, and meeting professional standards.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Prefer hands-on work over theoretical study
- Enjoy laboratory or technical environments
- Want a faster pathway into a STEM career
- Like following procedures and solving practical problems
- Are interested in science but not research-heavy roles
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a science technologies or technician program:
- Take biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses
- Practice careful measurement and lab procedures
- Develop strong organization and attention to detail
- Explore career and technical education (CTE) programs if available
- Participate in science labs, clubs, or internships
Science Technologies/Technicians, General (CIP 41.0000) is an ideal degree for students who want to work at the practical edge of science. It provides real-world technical skills, immediate employability, and a foundation for growth within STEM industries—making it a smart choice for those who want to turn scientific knowledge into action every day.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor