Food Science Technicians earn a median of $52,130 per year ($25.06/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 4.8% through 2035, with about 3,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 19-4013
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Food Science Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $52,130a year, or $25.06/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $40KTop 10% $79K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.8%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,00020,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202520.8K
- Projected 203521.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 20.8K Projected 2035 21.8K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school16.5%
- Some college12.4%
- Associate's23%
- Bachelor's32.3%
- Master's12.8%
- Doctorate1.2%
Highest education held by food science technicians Segment Value High school 16.5% Some college 12.4% Associate's 23% Bachelor's 32.3% Master's 12.8% Doctorate 1.2%
Also advertised as: 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).
Pay
How much do Food Science Technicians make?
Every food science technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$52,130
Middle half earn $46,020 to $63,270
- 10th
- $39,820
- 25th
- $46,020
- 75th
- $63,270
- 90th
- $78,820
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $39,820 |
| 25th | $46,020 |
| Median | $52,130 |
| 75th | $63,270 |
| 90th | $78,820 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $52,130
- Median hourly wage
- $25.06/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $56,660
- People employed
- 14,600
Versus all US occupations
At $52,130, the median for Food Science Technicians sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 37% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $78,820 or more while the bottom 10% earn $39,820, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 25% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Virginia posts the highest raw median ($65,360), but once local prices are taken into account Kentucky leads at $71,840 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Food Science Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Virginia | $65,360 | $64,646 | 150 |
| 2Kentucky | $64,770 | $71,840 | 160 |
| 3Washington | $62,070 | $58,002 | 660 |
| 4Vermont | $60,980 | $62,251 | 50 |
| 5Illinois | $60,820 | $60,846 | 290 |
| 6Missouri | $59,570 | $65,593 | 150 |
| 7Nevada | $59,070 | $59,082 | 110 |
| 8Colorado | $58,540 | $56,806 | 270 |
| 9Florida | $58,500 | $56,569 | 250 |
| 10Minnesota | $57,940 | $58,750 | 380 |
Job outlook
Is Food Science Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Food Science Technicians | +4.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Food Science Technicians to change 4.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,000 openings are projected each year, 14.4% of the 20,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of agricultural and food science technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
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.
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 are expected to 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.
Getting in
How to 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.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as food science technicians.
- Bachelor's Degree32.3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree23%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)16.5%
- Master's Degree12.8%
- Some College Courses12.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 32.3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 23% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 16.5% |
| Master's Degree | 12.8% |
| Some College Courses | 12.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Food Science Technician do?
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.
Agricultural and food science technicians help agricultural and food scientists with testing and research related to plants, animals, fibers, and food and beverage products.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
- Train newly hired laboratory personnel.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most agricultural and food science technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules vary and may include weekends and evenings.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantLittle or no dealing with customers or the public.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where food science technicians work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state23%
- Animal production and aquaculture14%
- Wholesale trade14%
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences11%
- Crop production4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | 23% |
| Animal production and aquaculture | 14% |
| Wholesale trade | 14% |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 11% |
| Crop production | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Active Listening3.5
- Writing3.5
- Speaking3.5
- Science3.3
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Monitoring3.1
- Active Learning3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Writing | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.5 |
| Science | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Coordination3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Instructing3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Operations Monitoring2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Application server software
- Cloud-based management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Food Science Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Food Science Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.6
- Conventional5.0
- Investigative4.5
- Enterprising2.0
- Social1.7
- Artistic1.3
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Food Science Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
- Management
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with food science technicians highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
- Food Science Technician$52,130
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
| Food Science Technician | $52,130 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within food science technician
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Food Science Technician appears on
Questions
Food Science Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Food Science Technicians make?
Food Science Technicians earn a median of $52,130 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), close to the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $25.06/hr. The middle half earn between $46,020 and $63,270. The top 10% earn $78,820 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Food Science Technician?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Food Science Technicians. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 32.3% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Food Science Technician a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Food Science Technician do?
Agricultural and food science technicians help agricultural and food scientists with testing and research related to plants, animals, fibers, and food and beverage products. A core O*NET task: maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Food Science Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Food Science Technicians are Virginia ($65,360), Kentucky ($64,770), Washington ($62,070) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Kentucky moves to the top at $71,840.
What personality type suits a Food Science Technician?
O*NET scores Food Science Technicians highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.