Life As a Food Science Technician
Food Science Technician Job 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
- Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
- Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
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Food Science Technician Needed Skills
These are the skills Food Science Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:
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
- Dairy Tester
- Butter Fat Tester
- Juice Tester
- Food Technician
- Quality Assurance Technician (QA Technician)
Food Science Technician Job Outlook
There were about 27,500 jobs for Food Science Technician in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

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.
Food Science Technician Salary
The typical yearly salary for Food Science Technicians is somewhere between $26,980 and $64,020.

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 to Become a Food Science Technician
Are there Food Science Technicians education requirements?

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

Where Food Science Technicians Are Employed

Food Science Technicians work in the following industries:

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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