How long does the training take?

Typically about two years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

1,221 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Science · SOC 19-4099

$62,280US median pay, 2025

+4.4%Projected growth, 2025–35

11,200Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Associate's degree
Work in: life, physical, and social science technicians, all other

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies	CIP 43.0104	825
Forensic Science and Technology	CIP 43.0406	219
Criminology	CIP 45.0401	218
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General	CIP 40.0401	63
Science Technologies/Technicians, Other	CIP 41.9999	55
Materials Science	CIP 40.1001	48
Criminal Justice and Corrections, General	CIP 43.0100	46
Criminalistics and Criminal Science	CIP 43.0402	28
Science Technologies/Technicians, General	CIP 41.0000	15
Chemical Process Technology	CIP 41.0303	8
Materials Chemistry	CIP 40.1002	6
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other	CIP 41.0399	1

See the 1,221 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about two years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do life, physical, and social science technicians, all other make?: The US median is $62,280 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 1,221 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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