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Food Science Technicians

Typical education: Associate degreeModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $52,130 Median per year · $25.06/hr Most earn $39,820–$78,820

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
  • Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
  • Train newly hired laboratory personnel.
  • Mix, blend, or cultivate ingredients to make reagents or to manufacture food or beverage products.
  • Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
  • Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 3,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Animal production and aquaculture17.2%
  • Dairy product manufacturing10.5%
  • Other food manufacturing8.9%
  • Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty food manufacturing8.4%
  • Beverage manufacturing6.8%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Associate degreeExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Food science technicians usually need an associate degree plus about 6 months to 1 year of related hands-on work, so the full path often takes roughly 2 to 3 years. It is not a job you can usually start with only a high school diploma, but it is a practical, lab-based career that doesn't require a four-year degree.

  1. Associate degree in food science technology, chemistry, or biology

    2 years

    You learn lab methods, food safety basics, and how to run standardized tests, which are the core skills technicians use every day.

  2. Quality Control Analyst

    6 months to 1 year

    Working in a food plant or testing lab as a quality control analyst gives you real experience running product tests and recording results accurately.

  3. Food Science Technician

    Entry point after the experience above

    You assist food scientists with testing for quality, packaging, processing, and new product development, and you grow your skills on the job.

Where it can lead

  1. Food Scientist or Technologist

    Not specified in our data; typically requires a bachelor's degree of experience first

    Moving up here usually means earning a bachelor's degree, then designing experiments and leading research on new or improved food products.

  2. Quality Control Systems Manager

    4 to 6 years of prior experience of experience first

    This role shifts your focus from running tests to overseeing quality systems, teams, and standards across a facility, usually with a bachelor's degree.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take chemistry and biologyThese classes teach the lab thinking and basic science that food science technicians use every day.
  • Take math, especially statistics if offeredMeasuring and comparing test results is a core part of the job, and math makes those tasks much easier.
  • Join a science club or a FFA chapterClubs like these give you hands-on projects, teamwork, and a chance to explore food and agriculture topics.
  • Enter a science fair with a food-related projectA project testing food qualities, such as shelf life or taste, shows you what testing and recording results is like.
  • Look for a starter job at a grocery store deli, bakery, or food counterWorking with food teaches you about handling, freshness, and following food safety rules.

In college

  • Major in food science, food technology, or a lab scienceAn associate degree in food science technology or a related lab science gives you the direct training this career expects.
  • Get an internship or co-op at a food plant or testing labReal hands-on experience counts toward the 6 months to 1 year that employers typically look for.
  • Work a campus lab jobHelping with a university or community college lab builds practical skills in measuring, recording, and following procedures.
  • Learn food safety and quality certificationsShort food safety courses offered by many schools and local organizations show employers you understand industry standards.
  • Join a food science or science clubClubs give you networking chances and let you meet people already working in food and lab careers.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for part-time or summer jobs in food plants, campus dining labs, or local testing labs, since hands-on time is what employers value most for this role.
  • Take math, chemistry, and biology classes early, and get comfortable with careful note-taking and record-keeping, because accurate records are a big part of the job.
  • Learn about food safety standards and basic lab certifications offered in your area, which can make your résumé stand out for entry-level technician roles.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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