Physical Science Technologies/Technicians at Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, TX · Public · Associate Degree

serving a student body of 47,486 in The Woodlands, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $53,976 track close to the $54,443 national median for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 91.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Physical Science Technologies/Technicians career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #11 ranking among 17 Physical Science Technologies/Technicians programs places Lone Star College System in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The 8 apprenticeship pathways connected to Physical Science Technologies/Technicians reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
66
Score
67
High End
Earnings $53,976/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (63% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$565K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
91.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,180
Out-of-state: $17,400

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chemical plant and system operators $73,540 -6.1% 85%
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other $60,130 +3.5% 45%
Hydrologic technicians $58,570 -2.1% 50%
Chemical plant and system operators
$73,540
-6.1% growth 85% AI-proof
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other
$60,130
+3.5% growth 45% AI-proof
Hydrologic technicians
$58,570
-2.1% growth 50% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

About Physical Science Technologies/Technicians Careers

You could spend your day in a clean lab, preparing chemical solutions and running quality control tests on new materials using instruments like chromatographs and spectrometers. Or, you might be on a manufacturing floor as a chemical equipment operator, monitoring pressure gauges and controlling the complex machinery that produces everything from pharmaceuticals to plastics. As a physical science technician, you are the hands-on expert who makes science work in the real world.

Read the full Physical Science Technologies/Technicians career guide →

Compare & Explore

Physical Science Technologies/Technicians Overview

Physical Science Technologies/Technicians at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lone Star College System

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 66/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians at Lone Star College System?
This program scores 66/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Physical Science Technologies/Technicians programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates?
There are 8 registered apprenticeships connected to Physical Science Technologies/Technicians occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →