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.
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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.

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.

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:

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

Who Employs Food Science Technicians?

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