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Food Science Technician

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All About Food Science Technicians

Job Description & Duties Perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products.

Life As a Food Science Technician

  • Mix, blend, or cultivate ingredients to make reagents or to manufacture food or beverage products.
  • Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
  • Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
  • Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
  • Prepare or incubate slides with cell cultures.
  • Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.

Skills Needed to be a Food Science Technician

Below is a list of the skills most Food Science Technicians say are important on the job.

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.

Types of Food Science Technician

  • Food Critic
  • Yeast Culture Developer
  • Juice Standardizer
  • Cream Tester
  • Dairy and Food Laboratory Assistant

Food Science Technician Employment Estimates

In the United States, there were 27,500 jobs for Food Science Technician in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 3,000 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

How Much Does a Food Science Technician Make?

The average yearly salary of a Food Science Technician ranges between $26,980 and $64,020.

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Food Science Technicians who work in New Jersey, Massachusetts, or New York, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Food Science Technicians 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

What Tools do Food Science Technicians Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Food Science Technicians may use on a daily basis:

  • 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 to Become a Food Science Technician

Individuals working as a Food Science Technician have obtained the following education levels:

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What work experience do I need to become a Food Science Technician?

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Who Employs Food Science Technicians?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Food Science Technicians employed by various industries.

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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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