Food Science Technicians in California
Thinking about a career as a Food Science Technicians in California? Below are the key facts. 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.
What do Food Science Technicians Make in California?
For a food science technicians working in California, the typical annual salary is $50,960 per year (or about $24.50/hour).Pay can range from $38,210 at the 10th percentile to $73,830 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 25th percentile | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Median (50th) | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| 75th percentile | $61,850 | $29.73 |
| 90th percentile | $73,830 | $35.50 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California nationwide is 2.40, indicating that food science technicians are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, food science technicians earn a median of $100,898 per year ($48.51/hour), lower than the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 126,017 food science technicians nationwide. In California alone, around 4,000 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 250 food science technicians.
Top California Metros for Food Science Technicians
The metro areas below employ the most food science technicians in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 810 | $51,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 350 | $60,780 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 280 | $48,130 |
| Visalia, CA | 260 | $48,560 |
| Fresno, CA | 240 | $45,060 |
| Merced, CA | 220 | $58,880 |
| Modesto, CA | 210 | $48,940 |
| Napa, CA | 200 | $58,300 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 190 | $61,850 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 180 | $48,500 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 160 | $49,360 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 160 | $51,450 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 100 | $50,630 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 80 | $43,330 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 80 | $56,640 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 70 | $46,960 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 60 | $48,200 |
| Salinas, CA | 60 | $47,900 |
| Vallejo, CA | 60 | $50,370 |
| Chico, CA | 40 | $45,590 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 40 | $60,540 |
Top States for Food Science Technicians Employment
The table below shows the states where the most food science technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 4,000 |
| Texas | 970 |
| New York | 750 |
| New Jersey | 610 |
| Pennsylvania | 580 |
| Oregon | 570 |
| Wisconsin | 550 |
| Georgia | 500 |
| Indiana | 430 |
| Iowa | 400 |
| Illinois | 390 |
| Ohio | 360 |
| Washington | 340 |
| Minnesota | 340 |
| Idaho | 320 |
| Missouri | 310 |
| Maryland | 270 |
| Florida | 250 |
| Virginia | 240 |
| Colorado | 190 |
Highest-Paying States for Food Science Technicians
These states pay the most for food science technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | $64,600 |
| Illinois | $63,730 |
| Colorado | $59,450 |
| Virginia | $59,110 |
| Massachusetts | $57,400 |
| Missouri | $55,830 |
| Michigan | $53,480 |
| Tennessee | $52,710 |
| New York | $52,530 |
| Kentucky | $52,410 |
Skills
The most important food science technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for food science technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
- Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
- Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.
- Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
- Train newly hired laboratory personnel.
- Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
- Supervise other food science technicians.
Work Activities
- Training and Teaching Others
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Working with Computers
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Getting Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Linux, Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- General Biology
- Biochemistry & Biophysics
- Microbiology Science & Immunology
- Chemistry
- Food Science Technology
- Food Processing
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to food science technicians include:
- Quality Control Systems Managers
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Animal Scientists
- Food Scientists and Technologists
- Microbiologists
Also Known As
Beer Brewer, Biotechnician, Bottle House QC Technician (Bottle House Quality Control Technician), Butter Fat Tester, Central Laboratory Technician (CLT), Cheese Tester, Cream Tester, Dairy Laboratory Technician (Dairy Lab Tech), Dairy Technician (Dairy Tech), Dairy Technologist, Dairy Tester, Dairy and Food Laboratory Assistant (Dairy and Food Lab Assist), Data Control Assistant, Fermentologist, Flavor Technician (Flavor Tech).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-4013.00
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