Occupation · SOC 19-4013
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.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,681 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionWritingSpeakingActive ListeningScienceCritical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisMonitoringCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessLearning StrategiesOperations MonitoringMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisService OrientationTroubleshootingOperation and ControlPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Material ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceRepairingEquipment SelectionManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignProgrammingOperations AnalysisInstallation
Knowledge areas
Food ProductionProduction and ProcessingChemistryEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsBiologyMathematicsAdministrativeCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingEngineering and TechnologyAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentMechanicalPhysicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaSales and MarketingDesignTransportationEconomics and AccountingTherapy and CounselingBuilding and ConstructionForeign LanguagePsychologyHistory and ArcheologyMedicine and DentistrySociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologyGeographyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Apache JMeterApache StrutsDatabase softwareGraphical user interface GUI design softwareGraphics softwareIBM Lotus NotesIBM WebSphereLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordOracle WebLogic ServerPresentation softwareRed Hat WildFlySAP softwareSASSpreadsheet softwareStructure query language SQLWord processing software
Representative tasks
Training and Teaching OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsWorking with ComputersDocumenting/Recording InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGetting InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeoplePerforming Administrative ActivitiesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping and Building TeamsControlling Machines and ProcessesAssisting and Caring for OthersProcessing InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationThinking CreativelyDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationScheduling Work and ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Sensory evaluation samples — conduct basic taste and smell assessments under direct supervision to verify that food and beverage flavors align with written product specifications.Container measurement procedures — follow established protocols to measure, weigh, and test bottles and cans for dimensional compliance on a production floor with technician guidance.Laboratory records — enter test data and results into logbooks or spreadsheets under supervisor review to satisfy state and governing agency documentation requirements.Product temperature monitoring — observe and log temperature readings for food products at scheduled intervals using calibrated thermometers in a food processing environment.Standard reference tables — compare single-variable test results against provided specification tables to assign basic pass or fail classifications under direct oversight.Microscope operation — prepare and examine biological or chemical samples to identify basic cell structures or locate visible contaminants under supervision in a food science laboratory.Laboratory equipment cleaning — follow written sterilization and cleaning checklists to maintain glassware, instruments, and work surfaces between testing cycles.Data entry and simple graphs — transcribe numerical test results into spreadsheet software and generate basic charts for inclusion in routine lab reports.Safety and quality protocols — read and apply standard operating procedures and regulatory guidelines relevant to food testing tasks in a supervised laboratory setting.Active listening in lab briefings — receive and accurately apply verbal instructions from senior technicians regarding daily testing assignments and sample handling procedures.
developing
Flavor and aroma profiling — conduct independent sensory evaluations of food and beverage samples, documenting deviations from flavor specifications and escalating out-of-spec results to quality supervisors.Container integrity testing — independently operate measurement instruments to assess hardness, strength, and dimensional tolerance of packaging materials and record findings without direct oversight.Regulatory recordkeeping — maintain organized, accurate testing logs and compliance documents required by state and federal governing agencies, applying agency-specific formatting standards.Temperature control management — monitor, adjust, and document product temperatures across multiple production lines using automated sensors and control software in a processing plant.Test result classification — analyze multi-variable test data, apply deductive reasoning to classify product batches against specification standards, and flag borderline results for supervisory review.Microscopic examination — routinely examine chemical and biological samples to identify cell structures, detect microbial contamination, and note extraneous material with growing independence in a food laboratory.Equipment calibration and maintenance — perform scheduled inspection, calibration, and minor repair of laboratory instruments to maintain measurement accuracy across routine testing workflows.Technical report preparation — compile test results into structured graphs, charts, and written reports using spreadsheet and office suite software for distribution to quality assurance teams.Quality control analysis — apply quality control principles to identify recurring testing anomalies, trace potential sources of variance, and communicate findings clearly to production staff.Time and task coordination — manage daily testing schedules across concurrent sample sets, prioritizing tasks to meet production deadlines in a fast-paced food science environment.
proficient
Advanced sensory discrimination — autonomously conduct and interpret multi-attribute sensory panel evaluations for complex food and beverage products, selecting samples with defined sensory characteristics for formulation decisions.Packaging specification verification — design and execute container testing protocols for hardness, strength, and dimensional compliance, resolving non-conformances independently within a quality management system.Compliance documentation oversight — independently author, review, and submit required testing records to state and federal agencies, ensuring completeness and accuracy without supervisory checking.Process temperature optimization — monitor and adjust thermal processing parameters across product lines, troubleshoot deviations, and recommend corrective actions to maintain food safety and quality targets.Analytical result interpretation — perform complex, multi-step data analysis on test outcomes, apply inductive reasoning to identify trends, and classify product batches with full accountability for decisions.Microbiology and chemistry integration — examine biological and chemical samples using advanced microscopy and analytical techniques to identify microorganisms, cell abnormalities, and foreign material in support of food safety programs.Predictive equipment maintenance — develop and manage a laboratory equipment calibration and maintenance schedule, troubleshoot instrument failures, and liaise with vendors to minimize downtime.Comprehensive technical reporting — produce detailed technical reports, statistical graphs, and data visualizations using database and spreadsheet software to support food science research and regulatory submissions.Cross-functional problem solving — independently investigate complex quality failures spanning chemistry, biology, and production processing, and implement validated corrective and preventive actions.Regulatory knowledge application — interpret evolving state and federal food safety regulations and apply them to current testing workflows, updating procedures to maintain continuous compliance.
advanced
Sensory program leadership — design and lead organizational sensory evaluation programs, establishing calibration panels and standardized protocols that align with product development and quality assurance strategy.Testing standards development — author and approve container and packaging testing specifications for new product lines, setting organizational benchmarks that govern quality control across multiple facilities.Quality management system ownership — establish, audit, and continuously improve the laboratory's regulatory recordkeeping framework, ensuring readiness for state, federal, and third-party agency inspections.Food safety system design — lead the design and implementation of temperature monitoring and control systems at organizational scale, integrating automated technologies across production and cold-chain operations.Data analytics strategy — direct the adoption and use of database, cloud-based management, and data visualization tools to transform laboratory test results into actionable organizational quality intelligence.Microscopy and microbiology capability building — set technical standards for microscopic examination procedures, mentor technicians, and lead root-cause investigations involving microbial or chemical contamination incidents.Laboratory infrastructure governance — oversee capital planning, procurement, and lifecycle management of laboratory equipment and technology, ensuring calibration systems meet accreditation requirements.Organizational reporting architecture — develop reporting frameworks and graphical communication standards for food science data, enabling evidence-based decision-making at executive and regulatory levels.Workforce development and instruction — design training curricula and mentor emerging and developing technicians in food science methodologies, safety standards, and quality control disciplines.Strategic quality leadership — represent the food science function in organizational planning, translating regulatory trends and scientific advances into workforce competency requirements and operational quality strategies.
Also known as
45 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Beer BrewerBiotechnicianBottle House QC Technician (Bottle House Quality Control Technician)Butter Fat TesterCentral Laboratory Technician (CLT)Cheese TesterCream TesterDairy and Food Laboratory Assistant (Dairy and Food Lab Assist)Dairy Laboratory Technician (Dairy Lab Tech)Dairy Technician (Dairy Tech)Dairy TechnologistDairy TesterData Control AssistantFermentologistFlavor Technician (Flavor Tech)Food AnalystFood Products TesterFood QC Technician (Food Quality Control Technician)Food Quality Technician (Food Quality Tech)Food Safety QA Tech (Food Safety Quality Assurance Technician)Food Safety Technician (Food Safety Tech)Food Science Tech (Food Science Technician)Food TasterFood Technician (Food Tech)Food TesterFruit TesterJuice StandardizerJuice TesterLaboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant)Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)Malt Specifications Control AssistantMilk TesterQA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Lab Technician)QC Tech (Quality Assurance Technician)QC Tech (Quality Control Technician)Quality AnalystQuality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)Quality Tech (Quality Technician)Research Technician (Research Tech)Seed Analyst