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.

On the job, you would:

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.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Agricultural and food science technicians must conduct a variety of observations and on-site measurements, all of which require precision, accuracy, and math skills.

Communication skills. Agricultural and food science technicians must understand and give clear instructions, keep detailed records, and, occasionally, write reports.

Critical-thinking skills. Agricultural and food science technicians reach conclusions through sound reasoning and judgment. They determine how to improve food quality and must test products for a variety of safety standards.

Interpersonal skills. Agricultural and food science technicians need to work well with others. They may supervise agricultural and food processing workers and receive instruction from scientists or specialists, so effective communication is critical.

Physical stamina. Agricultural and food science technicians who work in manufacturing or agricultural settings may need to stand for long periods, lift objects, and generally perform physical labor.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		92%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		86%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		83%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		82%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		79%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		73%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		70%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		69%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		68%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		66%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		62%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		57%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		56%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		55%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		52%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		78%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
		67%	Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
		67%	Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		83%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
		61%	Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		72%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		69%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		69%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		69%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		69%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		66%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		66%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		63%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		56%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		56%	Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
		56%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		53%	Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
		53%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		53%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		53%	Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
		53%	Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		55%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Record research or operational data.

Measure physical or chemical properties of materials or objects.

Clean objects.

Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.

Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.

Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.

Supervise laboratory work.

Test quality of materials or finished products.

Research methods to improve food products.

Analyze chemical compounds or substances.

Record research or operational data.

Analyze chemical compounds or substances.

Evaluate quality of materials or products.

Examine characteristics or behavior of living organisms.

Analyze chemical compounds or substances.

Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing.

Test quality of materials or finished products.

Manage scientific or technical project resources.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		98%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		98%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		95%	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
		93%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		90%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		89%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		89%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		87%	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
		84%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		84%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		79%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		76%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		76%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		76%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		74%	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
		74%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		73%	Spend Time Walking and Running - How much does this job require walking and running?
		73%	Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing?
		73%	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
		69%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		66%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		65%	Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
		64%	Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment - How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
		62%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		60%	Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
		60%	Exposed to Hazardous Conditions - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
		59%	Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
		59%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		68%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		83%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		82%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		81%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		79%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		78%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		78%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		75%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		73%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		67%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		67%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		65%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		65%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		64%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		64%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		63%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		59%	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		57%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		57%	Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
		55%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		54%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		54%	Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
		52%	Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

What Agricultural and Food Science Technicians Do

Agricultural and food science technicians may keep detailed records and collect samples for analyses.

Agricultural and food science technicians assist agricultural and food scientists by performing duties such as measuring and analyzing the quality of food and agricultural products. Duties range from performing agricultural labor with added recordkeeping duties to laboratory testing with significant amounts of office work, depending on the particular field the technician works in.

Duties

Specific duties of these technicians vary with their specialty.

Agricultural science technicians typically do the following:

Follow protocols to collect, prepare, analyze, and properly store crop or animal samples
Operate farm equipment and maintain agricultural production areas to conform to scientific testing parameters
Examine animal and crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems
Measure ingredients used in animal feed and other inputs
Prepare and operate laboratory testing equipment
Compile and analyze test results
Prepare charts, presentations, and reports describing test results

Food science technicians typically do the following:

Collect and prepare samples in accordance with established procedures
Test food, food additives, and food containers to ensure that they comply with established safety standards
Help food scientists with food research, development, and quality control
Analyze chemical properties of food to determine ingredients and formulas
Compile and analyze test results
Prepare charts, presentations, and reports describing test results
Prepare and maintain quantities of chemicals needed to perform laboratory tests
Maintain a safe, sterile laboratory environment

Agricultural and food science technicians often specialize by subject area, which includes animal health, farm machinery, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, or processing technology. Duties can vary considerably by specialization.

Agricultural science technicians typically study ways to increase the productivity of crops and animals. These workers may keep detailed records, collect samples for analyses, ensure that samples meet proper safety and quality standards, and test crops and animals for disease or to confirm the results of scientific experiments.

Food science technicians who work in manufacturing investigate new production or processing techniques. They also ensure that products will be fit for distribution or are produced as efficiently as expected. Many food science technicians spend time inspecting foodstuffs, chemicals, and additives to determine whether they are safe and have the proper combination of ingredients.

Work Environment

Agricultural technicians held about 17,600 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of agricultural technicians were as follows:

Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private	16%
Wholesale trade	12
Animal production and aquaculture	11
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences	10
Crop production	6

Food science technicians held about 21,200 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of food science technicians were as follows:

Food manufacturing	40%
Animal production and aquaculture	13
Crop production	7
Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing	6
Professional, scientific, and technical services	6

Technicians work in a variety of settings, including laboratories, processing plants, farms and ranches, greenhouses, and offices. Technicians who work in processing plants and agricultural settings may face noise from processing and farming machinery, extreme temperatures, and odors from chemicals or animals. They may need to lift and carry objects, and be physically active for long periods of time.

Work Schedules

Agricultural and food science technicians typically work full time and have standard work schedules. Technicians may need to travel, including international travel.

Getting Started

Education:

32%

Bachelor's Degree

23%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

How to Become an Agricultural or Food Science Technician

Agricultural and food science technicians conduct a variety of observations and on-site measurements.

Agricultural and food science technicians typically need an associate’s degree in biology, chemistry, crop or animal science, or a related field. Some positions require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree, and others a high school diploma or equivalent plus related work experience.

Education

Students interested in a career as an agricultural or food science technician should take as many high school science and math classes as possible. A solid background in applied chemistry, biology, physics, math, and statistics is important. Knowledge of how to use spreadsheets and databases also may be necessary.

Agricultural and food science technicians typically need an associate’s degree in biology, chemistry, crop or animal science, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Some agricultural and food science technician positions require a bachelor’s degree.

Students may take courses in biology, chemistry, plant or animal science, and agricultural engineering as part of their programs. Programs include technical instruction and hands-on experience. Many schools offer internships, cooperative-education, and other programs designed to provide practical experience and enhance employment prospects.

Some agricultural and food science technicians successfully enter the occupation with a high school diploma or equivalent, but they typically need related work experience and on-the-job training that may last a year or more.

Training

Agricultural and food science technicians typically undergo on-the-job training. Various federal government regulations outline the types of training needed for technicians, which varies by work environment and specific job requirements. Training may cover topics such as production techniques, personal hygiene, and sanitation procedures.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Workers who enter the occupation with only a high school diploma or equivalent often must have experience in a related occupation during which they develop their knowledge of agriculture or manufacturing processes. These related occupations include food and tobacco processing workers and agricultural workers.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of agricultural and food science technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 5,500 openings for agricultural and food science technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Demand will continue for agricultural research into topics such as water resources, pests and pathogens, climate and weather patterns, and biofuels and other agricultural products.

Agricultural science technicians will be needed to assist agricultural and food scientists in investigating and improving the diets, living conditions, and genetic makeup of livestock. Food science technicians will help scientists improve food-processing techniques, ensuring that products are safe, waste is limited, and food is shipped efficiently. Technicians also will continue to be needed to help analyze soil composition and soil improvement techniques, find uses for agricultural byproducts, and selectively breed crops to resist pests and disease or to improve taste.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about agricultural and soil science occupations, visit

American Society of Agronomy

Future Farmers of America

Soil Science Society of America

For more information about food and animal science occupations, visit

American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists

American Society of Animal Science

Institute of Food Technologists

For information from related governmental agencies, visit

U.S. Department of Agriculture

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Smithsonian Institution

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of agricultural and food science technicians.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Agricultural and Food Scientists	Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products.	Bachelor's degree	$74,940
Agricultural Engineers	Agricultural engineers solve problems concerning power supplies, machine efficiency, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products.	Bachelor's degree	$83,260
Agricultural Workers	Agricultural workers maintain crops and tend livestock.	See How to Become One	$33,290
Animal Care and Service Workers	Animal care and service workers attend to or train animals.	High school diploma or equivalent	$29,790
Biological Technicians	Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.	Bachelor's degree	$49,650
Chemical Technicians	Chemical technicians conduct laboratory tests to help scientists analyze the properties of materials.	Associate's degree	$50,840
Conservation Scientists and Foresters	Conservation scientists and foresters manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.	Bachelor's degree	$64,420
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians	Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination.	Associate's degree	$48,380
Food Processing Equipment Workers	Food processing equipment workers operate machinery that mixes, cooks, or processes ingredients for manufacturing food products.	See How to Become One	$36,190
Microbiologists	Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and some types of parasites.	Bachelor's degree	$81,990

Food Science Technicians

Agricultural or Food Science Technician

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Important Qualities

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

What Agricultural and Food Science Technicians Do

Duties

Work Environment

Work Schedules

Getting Started

How to Become an Agricultural or Food Science Technician

Education

Training

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Job Outlook

Employment

Contacts for More Information

Similar Occupations