How to become a Food Science Technician

Official title: Food Science Technicians

Also called: 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, Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst), Quality Tech (Quality Technician)

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.

Main tasks

• 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.
• Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
• Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.

How to become one

Entry requirements for agricultural and food science technicians vary. Some employers require or prefer that candidates have an associate's or bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, agriculture, or a related field. Other employers hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent and related work experience.

Typical education to start: Associate's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Agricultural and Food Products Processing; Food Science; Food Technology and Processing

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $52,130 a year The middle half earn $46,020 to $63,270.
• About 20,800 people work in this job now, and about 21,800 are projected by 2035. (+4.8%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Related jobs

• Agricultural Technicians
• Precision Agriculture Technicians
• Hydrologic Technicians
• Biological Technicians
• Chemical Technicians
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Food Science Technician?

Entry requirements for agricultural and food science technicians vary. Some employers require or prefer that candidates have an associate's or bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, agriculture, or a related field. Other employers hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent and related work experience.

How much does a Food Science Technician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $52,130 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $46,020 to $63,270.

Is a Food Science Technician a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 20,800 to about 21,800 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Food Science Technician?

Not always. 28% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Associate's degree.

Will AI change the work of a Food Science Technician?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.