Career Explorer Science
Grows with AI
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other
All life, physical, and social science technicians not listed separately.
Changing faster than most: more resilient than 37% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by +4.4% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on creative vision.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $62,280
- Job growth to 2035
- +4.4%
- Openings a year
- 11,200
- People doing it (2025)
- 89,500
- Usual route in
- Associate's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment
- Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance
- Develop operational or technical procedures or standards
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Test characteristics of materials or products
- Evaluate production inputs or outputs
- Maintain operational records
What the work looks like
- Collect geospatial data, using technologies such as aerial photography, light and radio wave detection systems, digital satellites, or thermal energy systems.
- Conduct routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.
- Interpret test results, compare them to established specifications and control limits, and make recommendations on appropriateness of data for release.
- Calibrate, validate, or maintain laboratory equipment.
- Ensure that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Biological techniciansGrows with AI, Index 65, +7.4%
- Agricultural techniciansGrows with AI, Index 66, +5.4%
- Chemical techniciansGrows with AI, Index 51, +4.9%
- Environmental science and protection technicians, including healthGrows with AI, Index 47, +6.9%
Also known as: Lab Technician (Lab Tech), QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor), QA Tech (Quality Assurance Technician), Quality Control Technician (QC Tech), Digital Cartographic Technician, Geospatial Extractor, Meteorologist Liaison, Research Associate.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.