Food Science Technicians

Perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products.

Median Annual Wage: $35,140

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (32%); Bachelor's degree (17%); Master's degree (14%)

Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)

Related Job Titles: Operations Technician; Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst); Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant); Quality Control Technician (QC Technician); Technical Services Analyst; Quality Technician; Central Lab Technician (CLT); Food Science Technician; Lab Tech (Laboratory Technician); Quality Analyst

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Food Science Technicians.

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  • 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.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Food Science Technicians.

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Food Science Technicians.

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