Takeover Tracker
36%medium risk

Chemical Technicians

Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.

Higher risk than 69% of occupations
Checking for existing plan...

How AI Impacts Each Task

16 tasks analyzed

Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.

Risk: 44.4%AI: 43.6ObservedTime: 8%

Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 15%

Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.

Risk: 43.0%AI: 25EstimatedTime: 8%

Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.

Risk: 31.9%AI: 57.17ObservedTime: 12%

Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.

Risk: 84.0%AI: 87EstimatedTime: 8%

Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 8%

Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.

Risk: 70.0%AI: 52EstimatedTime: 4%

Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 55EstimatedTime: 5%

Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.

Risk: 39.7%AI: 61.72ObservedTime: 5%

Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.

Risk: 73.5%AI: 60.8ObservedTime: 6%

Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment.

Risk: 41.0%AI: 65ObservedTime: 4%

Direct or monitor other workers producing chemical products.

Risk: 23.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 3%

Design or fabricate experimental apparatus to develop new products or processes.

Risk: 15.0%AI: 15EstimatedTime: 3%

Operate experimental pilot plants, assisting with experimental design.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 4%

Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.

Risk: 87.2%AI: 95EstimatedTime: 4%

Develop new chemical engineering processes or production techniques.

Risk: 51.9%AI: 62.32ObservedTime: 3%

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (11)

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Equipment Maintenance78%

Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Service Orientation82%

Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Chemical Technicians skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-7.6pt risk+$3K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Coursera

Creative Writing Specialization

by Wesleyan University

~8 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Writing

Estimated Impact

-5.4pt risk+$3K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Coursera

Foundations of Teaching for Learning

by Commonwealth Education Trust

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Instructing

Estimated Impact

-3.5pt risk+$3K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.

Alternate Career Paths

See all transitions

Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

-1.3

overall change

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

Up to 1 month24%
1-3 months32%
3-6 months10%
6 months - 1 year27%
1-2 years7%

Related News

Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation

2 articles

LLMs are beginning to assist and automate scientific research

Tech companies are pushing AI as the ultimate scientific research tool to justify massive energy costs. Large language models are already stepping into lab assistant roles, signaling a shift in how foundational research and data analysis are conducted.

MIT Technology ReviewApr 21

AI Reshapes Beauty Industry R&D and Customer Service Roles

Cosmetic companies are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence in research and development labs, shifting how new products are formulated. The technology is also automating consumer-facing consultations, altering traditional retail beauty roles.

Bloomberg TechnologyApr 18

Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis