All About Food Science Technicians
Food Science Technician Job Description Perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products.
Food Science Technician Responsibilities
- Order supplies needed to maintain inventories in laboratories or in storage facilities of food or beverage processing plants.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Prepare or incubate slides with cell cultures.
- Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
- Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
Featured schools near , edit
Things a Food Science Technician Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Food Science Technicians say are important on the job.
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Technical Services Analyst
- Data Control Assistant
- Technician
- Lab Tech (Laboratory Technician)
- Central Lab Technician (CLT)
Job Opportunities for Food Science Technicians
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 27,500 jobs in the United States for Food Science Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,700 new jobs for Food Science Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 3,000 positions for Food Science Technician per year.
The states with the most job growth for Food Science Technician are Nevada, Utah, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Hawaii, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Food Science Technicians Salary
The salary for Food Science Technicians ranges between about $26,980 and $64,020 a year.
Food Science Technicians who work in New Jersey, Massachusetts, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Food Science Technicians make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $37,960 |
Arizona | $42,000 |
Arkansas | $40,800 |
California | $45,400 |
Colorado | $45,670 |
Florida | $40,230 |
Georgia | $41,780 |
Hawaii | $44,730 |
Idaho | $38,510 |
Illinois | $41,750 |
Indiana | $44,190 |
Iowa | $49,940 |
Kansas | $43,210 |
Kentucky | $44,720 |
Louisiana | $37,510 |
Maine | $36,430 |
Maryland | $40,390 |
Massachusetts | $54,500 |
Michigan | $38,010 |
Minnesota | $42,580 |
Mississippi | $37,800 |
Missouri | $46,660 |
Montana | $43,650 |
Nebraska | $39,140 |
New Jersey | $58,440 |
New Mexico | $41,170 |
New York | $51,940 |
North Carolina | $43,380 |
North Dakota | $49,640 |
Ohio | $42,360 |
Oklahoma | $33,970 |
Oregon | $43,040 |
Pennsylvania | $40,950 |
South Dakota | $29,370 |
Tennessee | $39,440 |
Texas | $46,390 |
Utah | $36,940 |
Vermont | $44,810 |
Virginia | $38,130 |
Washington | $41,830 |
West Virginia | $53,260 |
Wisconsin | $39,730 |
What Tools & Technology do Food Science Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Food Science Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Visio
- Database software
- SAS
- Linux
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Graphics software
- SAP software
- Presentation software
- IBM Lotus Notes
- IBM WebSphere
- Apache Struts
- Red Hat WildFly
Becoming a Food Science Technician
Are there Food Science Technicians education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Food Science Technician?
Where Food Science Technicians Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: Muhammad Irshad Ansari via CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info | Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |