All About Food Science Technicians
Position Description Perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products.
Daily Life Of a Food Science Technician
- Compute moisture or salt content, percentages of ingredients, formulas, or other product factors, using mathematical and chemical procedures.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.
- Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Mix, blend, or cultivate ingredients to make reagents or to manufacture food or beverage products.
Food Science Technician Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Food Science Technicians say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Other Food Science Technician Job Titles
- Malt Specifications Control Assistant
- Yeast Culture Developer
- Dairy Technologist
- Dairy and Food Laboratory Assistant
- Juice Standardizer
Food Science Technician Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 27,500 jobs in the United States for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians.
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.3% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,700 new jobs for Food Science Technicians 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 Agricultural and Food Science Technicians are California, Texas, and New York.
Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Hawaii, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Food Science Technician Salary
The typical yearly salary for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians is somewhere between $26,980 and $64,020. A Food Science Technician median salary is $40,860.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
New Jersey |
$58,440 |
|
Massachusetts |
$54,500 |
|
West Virginia |
$53,260 |
|
New York |
$51,940 |
|
Iowa |
$49,940 |
|
North Dakota |
$49,640 |
|
Missouri |
$46,660 |
|
Texas |
$46,390 |
|
Colorado |
$45,670 |
|
California |
$45,400 |
|
Vermont |
$44,810 |
|
Hawaii |
$44,730 |
|
Kentucky |
$44,720 |
|
Indiana |
$44,190 |
|
Montana |
$43,650 |
|
North Carolina |
$43,380 |
|
Kansas |
$43,210 |
|
Oregon |
$43,040 |
|
Minnesota |
$42,580 |
|
Ohio |
$42,360 |
|
Arizona |
$42,000 |
|
Washington |
$41,830 |
|
Georgia |
$41,780 |
|
Illinois |
$41,750 |
|
New Mexico |
$41,170 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$40,950 |
|
Arkansas |
$40,800 |
|
Maryland |
$40,390 |
|
Florida |
$40,230 |
|
Wisconsin |
$39,730 |
|
Tennessee |
$39,440 |
|
Nebraska |
$39,140 |
|
Idaho |
$38,510 |
|
Virginia |
$38,130 |
|
Michigan |
$38,010 |
|
Alabama |
$37,960 |
|
Mississippi |
$37,800 |
|
Louisiana |
$37,510 |
|
Utah |
$36,940 |
|
Maine |
$36,430 |
|
Oklahoma |
$33,970 |
|
South Dakota |
$29,370 |
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:
- IBM WebSphere
- SAS
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
- Apache Struts
- Microsoft Visio
- Red Hat WildFly
- Linux
Becoming a Food Science Technician
What education or degrees do I need to become a Food Science Technician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Food Science Technicians Work?
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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