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Food Science Technicians
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
Other titles employers use
Central Laboratory Technician (CLT) · Food Science Tech (Food Science Technician) · Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant) · Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech) · QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Lab Technician) · QC Tech (Quality Assurance Technician) · QC Tech (Quality Control Technician) · Quality Analyst
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Food Production
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
Useful strengths
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.5 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.9 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.9 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.0 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 32%
- A two-year degree 23%
- High school or less 17%
- A master's degree 13%
- A certificate or some college 13%
- A doctorate or professional degree 2%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Operating system software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Process mapping and design software
- Word processing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 5,300
- Job openings each year
- 720
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 8.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5,300 | 720 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 2,320 | 320 | 14.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,130 | 150 | 4.6% |
| Wisconsin | 1,110 | 150 | 9.9% |
| New Jersey | 1,040 | 140 | 9.5% |
| Georgia | 1,030 | 140 | 7.3% |
| Missouri | 930 | 130 | 12.0% |
| Maryland | 900 | 120 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 690 | 90 | 7.8% |
| Oregon | 580 | 80 | 7.4% |
| Nebraska | 540 | 70 | 5.9% |
| Iowa | 530 | 70 | 3.9% |
| Minnesota | 340 | 50 | 6.3% |
| Virginia | 290 | 40 | 7.4% |
| Illinois | 270 | 40 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 270 | 40 | 3.8% |
| Oklahoma | 270 | 40 | — |
| Arizona | 240 | 30 | 9.1% |
| Indiana | 240 | 30 | 9.1% |
| Kentucky | 240 | 30 | 4.3% |
| Arkansas | 230 | 30 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 200 | 30 | 5.3% |
| Colorado | 190 | 30 | 11.8% |
| Michigan | 180 | 30 | 5.9% |
| Utah | 180 | 30 | 20.0% |
| New Mexico | 160 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Tennessee | 160 | 20 | 23.1% |
| South Dakota | 150 | 20 | 7.1% |
| Kansas | 140 | 20 | 7.7% |
| Alabama | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Massachusetts | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Mississippi | 60 | 10 | — |
| Nevada | 60 | 10 | 50.0% |
| Puerto Rico | 60 | 10 | — |
| Louisiana | 50 | 10 | — |
| South Carolina | 50 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 30 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 30 | 0 | — |
| Vermont | 30 | 0 | — |
| Maine | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of South Florida
- Degrees each year
- 1,289
- Admit rate
- 41%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 1,241
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 837
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
University of Florida
- Degrees each year
- 1,020
- Admit rate
- 24%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Florida International University
- Degrees each year
- 1,050
- Admit rate
- 59%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 1,026
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
The University of Texas at Austin
- Degrees each year
- 983
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of California-Riverside
- Degrees each year
- 965
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000