Food Science Technicians
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.
Also called: Beer Brewer, Biotechnician, Bottle House QC Technician (Bottle House Quality Control Technician), Butter Fat Tester, Central Laboratory Technician (CLT), Cheese Tester
Median pay
$52,130
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,820 – $78,820
People employed
14,600
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 3.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 4.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Food Science Technicians pay by state
Annual median pay by state (38 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What food science technicians do
- 01Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- 02Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- 03Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- 04Monitor and control temperature of products.
- 05Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- 06Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Science
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- Food Production
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from food science technicians
- Food Scientists and Technologists79% · +70%
- Agricultural Inspectors76% · −4%
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers73% · −7%
- Chemists72% · +75%
- Quality Control Systems Managers71% · group pay
Change into food science technicians
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Agricultural Inspectors74% · $49,940
- Quality Control Systems Managers70% · $126,060
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping68% · $46,380
- Neurodiagnostic Technologists65% · $50,290
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians64% · $47,380
Majors that lead here
- Agricultural and Food Products Processing
- Food Science
- Food Technology and Processing
- Brewing Science
- Zymology/Fermentation Science
- Food Science and Technology, Other
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology, General
- Chemistry, General
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.