Career Discovery Tool
Science Buddies

Food Science Technician

Overview and Key Facts

young woman standing in front of a laboratory bench
Education
Education
Median Pay
Median Pay
$44,700
Job Growth
Job Growth
8.70%
(Above US Average)
Jobs in 2031
Jobs in 2031
34,400

What Do They Do?

A food science technician could....

Overview Listen to this section

Good taste, texture, quality, and safety are all very important in the food industry. Food science technicians test and catalog the physical and chemical properties of food to help ensure these aspects.
Watch this interview with food scientist Corey Scott to find out what he enjoys about his job.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Food Science Technician?


  1. Active Listening: ?
  2. Reading Comprehension: ?
  3. Writing: ?
  4. Speaking: ?
  5. Critical Thinking: ?

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Food Science Technician might do:
  • Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
  • Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
  • Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
  • Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
  • Monitor and control temperature of products.
  • Compute moisture or salt content, percentages of ingredients, formulas, or other product factors, using mathematical and chemical procedures.
  • Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
  • 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.
  • Train newly hired laboratory personnel.
  • Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
  • Mix, blend, or cultivate ingredients to make reagents or to manufacture food or beverage products.
  • Supervise other food science technicians.

Salary & Job Openings

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Food Science Technician

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

On the Job

More Information

Please create a free account to view this career and access our full library of over 160 STEM careers.

Students    Teachers / Parents

With a free account you will have access to our full library of over 160 STEM careers. Each career profile includes detailed information to help you learn about a career and the requirements to get there. You can explore:

  • salary information by state
  • recommended high school coursework
  • fun projects and activities to test out a career
  • videos and interviews with professionals in the field
  • details on what a day on the job is like
Top
We use cookies and those of third party providers to deliver the best possible web experience and to compile statistics.
By continuing and using the site, including the landing page, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
OK, got it
Free science fair projects.