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Food Science Technician

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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.

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.

  • 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.

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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.

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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?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Food Science Technician?

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Where Food Science Technicians Are Employed

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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References:

Image Credit: Muhammad Irshad Ansari via CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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