Best institutions to study Chemical Process Technology
A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills to the operation of chemical processing equipment in industries such as chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and waste water treatment.
10 U.S. institutions graduated 85 Chemical Process Technology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 41.0303, a specialization of Physical Science Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.03), and leads most directly to the Chemical Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4031).
About Chemical Process Technology programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills to the operation of chemical processing equipment in industries such as chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and waste water treatment. Includes instruction in mathematics, chemistry, and physics; computer applications; chemical and refinery plant operations, processes, and equipment; safety, health, and environment; instrumentation; troubleshooting; and applications to specific industries.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Chemical Process Technology program prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in various industries, including chemical manufacturing and petroleum refining. This program is ideal for those interested in operating chemical processing equipment and ensuring the quality and safety of chemical products.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in chemistry, mathematics, and physics, as well as practical skills in chemical and refinery plant operations. Coursework includes safety protocols, instrumentation, and troubleshooting techniques essential for the industry.
Credentials awarded
What Chemical Process Technology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree54 graduates / yr · 5 institutions64%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year18 graduates / yr · 3 institutions21%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years13 graduates / yr · 5 institutions15%
Graduates over time
Chemical Process Technology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 88 |
| 2013 | 216 |
| 2014 | 189 |
| 2015 | 118 |
| 2016 | 133 |
| 2017 | 129 |
| 2018 | 98 |
| 2019 | 64 |
| 2020 | 105 |
| 2021 | 100 |
| 2022 | 66 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 74 |
| 2025 | 85 |
Top 10 institutions for Chemical Process Technology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 28 | 46% | — | $42,769 |
| 2 | Kansas City Kansas Community College Kansas City, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 42% | — | — |
| 3 | Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 63% | — | — |
| 4 | Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 26% | — | — |
| 5 | BridgeValley Community & Technical College South Charleston, WVPublicAssociate's | 8 | 34% | — | — |
| 6 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 40% | — | — |
| 7 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg Parkersburg, WVPublicAssociate's | 6 | 9% | — | — |
| 8 | University of the Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie, VIPublicAssociate's | 6 | 28% | — | — |
| 9 | Lamar State College - Port Arthur Port Arthur, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 45% | — | — |
| 10 | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Martinsburg, WVPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 32% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Physical Science Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 41.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 7 states
Where Chemical Process Technology graduates come from. Each state links to all Physical Science Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2 | 33 | Texas State Technical College28 / yr |
| West Virginia | 3 | 15 | BridgeValley Community & Technical College8 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 9 | Kansas City Kansas Community College9 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 8 | Illinois Eastern Community Colleges8 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 8 | Chattanooga State Community College8 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 6 | Ivy Tech Community College6 / yr |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 1 | 6 | University of the Virgin Islands6 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4031, Chemical Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Chemical Process Technology program can pursue careers as Chemical Technicians, with a median wage of $57,790. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 3.7% and approximately 6,700 annual openings in the field. An Associate's degree is typically required for these positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 41.0303
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemical Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4031 | $60,390 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~6,700 | Associate's degree |
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders SOC 51-9011 | $58,040 | +3.3% About as fast as average | ~14,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other SOC 19-4099 | $62,280 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~10,600 | Associate's degree |
Chemical Plant and System Operators SOC 51-8091 | $78,120 | -6.1% Decline | ~1,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians SOC 19-4043 | $53,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~1,300 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Chemical Process Technology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
- Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
- Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
- Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
- Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
- Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
Tools and technology used
Other Physical Science Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Physical Science Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.03).
Common questions
What types of credentials can I earn?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, monitoring, and effective communication.
What are the main tasks I will perform in this field?+
You will conduct laboratory tests, monitor product quality, and prepare chemical solutions.
How many colleges in the U.S. offer this program?+
There are 10 colleges in the U.S. offering the Chemical Process Technology program.
What is the CIP code for Chemical Process Technology?+
Chemical Process Technology is CIP 41.0303 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Physical Science Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.03). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills to the operation of chemical processing equipment in industries such as chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and waste water treatment. Includes instruction in mathematics, chemistry, and physics; computer applications; chemical and refinery plant operations, processes, and equipment; safety, health, and environment; instrumentation; troubleshooting; and applications to specific industries.
How many institutions offer Chemical Process Technology programs?+
10 U.S. institutions reported Chemical Process Technology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 85 credentials in the year. That is 2.9% of all Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Chemical Process Technology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Chemical Technicians occupation, which Chemical Process Technology most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,390 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Physical Science Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $42,769 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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