What You Need to Know About Food Science Technician
Occupation Description Perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products.
Food Science Technician Responsibilities
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
- Order supplies needed to maintain inventories in laboratories or in storage facilities of food or beverage processing plants.
- Mix, blend, or cultivate ingredients to make reagents or to manufacture food or beverage products.
- Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
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What Every Food Science Technician Should Know
When polled, Food Science Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Cheese Tester
- Data Control Assistant
- Lab Tech (Laboratory Technician)
- Quality Technician
- Quality Assurance
Job Opportunities for Food Science Technicians
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 27,500 jobs in the United States for Food Science Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,700 new jobs for Food Science Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 3,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Food Science Technician are Nevada, Utah, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Hawaii, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Food Science Technicians Salary
The salary for Food Science Technicians ranges between about $26,980 and $64,020 a year.
Food Science Technicians who work in New Jersey, Massachusetts, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Food Science Technicians make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $37,960 |
Arizona | $42,000 |
Arkansas | $40,800 |
California | $45,400 |
Colorado | $45,670 |
Florida | $40,230 |
Georgia | $41,780 |
Hawaii | $44,730 |
Idaho | $38,510 |
Illinois | $41,750 |
Indiana | $44,190 |
Iowa | $49,940 |
Kansas | $43,210 |
Kentucky | $44,720 |
Louisiana | $37,510 |
Maine | $36,430 |
Maryland | $40,390 |
Massachusetts | $54,500 |
Michigan | $38,010 |
Minnesota | $42,580 |
Mississippi | $37,800 |
Missouri | $46,660 |
Montana | $43,650 |
Nebraska | $39,140 |
New Jersey | $58,440 |
New Mexico | $41,170 |
New York | $51,940 |
North Carolina | $43,380 |
North Dakota | $49,640 |
Ohio | $42,360 |
Oklahoma | $33,970 |
Oregon | $43,040 |
Pennsylvania | $40,950 |
South Dakota | $29,370 |
Tennessee | $39,440 |
Texas | $46,390 |
Utah | $36,940 |
Vermont | $44,810 |
Virginia | $38,130 |
Washington | $41,830 |
West Virginia | $53,260 |
Wisconsin | $39,730 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Food Science Technicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Food Science Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Visio
- Database software
- SAS
- Linux
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Graphics software
- SAP software
- Presentation software
- IBM Lotus Notes
- IBM WebSphere
- Apache Struts
- Red Hat WildFly
How do I Become a Food Science Technician?
What kind of Food Science Technician requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Food Science Technician?
Where Food Science Technicians Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Food Science Technicians work:
References:
Image Credit: Muhammad Irshad Ansari via CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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