Food Science Technician: Job Description, Pay & Outlook

What does a food science technician do?

Food science technicians test food and ingredients for quality, safety and nutrition, helping food scientists develop and improve products. The median pay is $52,130 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years, and employment is projected to grow +4.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$52,130
$25.06/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+4.8%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
3,000
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
2 years
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
20,800
Employment, 2025

What food science technicians do

Food science technicians make sure food is safe and good. They sample products on production lines, test for moisture, fat, pH and microbes, run sensory panels, check labels and nutrition, monitor food safety programs and help develop new recipes and products. They work in food plants, labs and test kitchens.

Most have an associate degree in food science, chemistry or biology, plus on-the-job training. Food manufacturing offers steady jobs nationwide.

Typical duties

Sample products and ingredients
Run quality and safety tests
Monitor food safety programs
Conduct sensory evaluations
Help develop products
Record and report data
Maintain lab equipment

Work environment and schedule

Technicians work in food plant labs, production floors and test kitchens, which can be cold or hot.

Schedule: Plants often run shifts, including early mornings and weekends.

A day in the life

6:00 AMCollect samples from the first production run.
7:00 AMTest moisture and pH.
9:00 AMSwab equipment for environmental monitoring.
11:00 AMRun a taste panel on a new flavor.

See a full day in the life of a food science technician →

Food Science Technician salary

Half of food science technicians earned more than $52,130 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $39,820 for the lowest 10% to $78,820 for the top 10%.

$39,82010th$52,130Median$78,82090th

Full food science technician pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a food science technician

Study science
Earn an associate degree
Get hired
Earn food safety credentials
Advance

An associate degree in food science, chemistry or biology is typical, plus on-the-job training.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a food science technician →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Food chemistry
Microbiology
HACCP
Sensory evaluation
Lab testing

People skills

Attention to detail
Communication
Teamwork
Reliability

All food science technician skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Steady food industry demand
Two-year path
Mix of lab and production
Taste testing

Cons

Shift work
Cold or wet plants
Repetitive testing
Pressure during recalls

Certifications and licenses

HACCP certification: Food safety system.
PCQI: Preventive Controls Qualified Individual.
SQF Practitioner: Food safety standard.
Better Process Control School: For canned foods.

Career path

QA Technician: Test products.
Senior Technician: Lead testing.
QA Supervisor: Manage quality.
Food Scientist: With a bachelor’s degree.

Learn the job before day one

Our Food Science Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as swab for environmental monitoring and run a sensory panel, safety and how to land your first job.

View Food Science Technician training Is this career right for me?

Chemical Technician

Run chemical tests and experiments that support research and production.

$60,390
2 years

Quality Control Inspector

Measure, test and inspect products to make sure they meet specifications.

$48,570
3–12 months on the job

Agricultural Inspector

Inspect farms, food plants and shipments to protect food safety and agriculture.

$49,940
4 years + agency training

Microbiologist

Study bacteria, viruses and microbes to protect health and make products.

$87,990
4+ years

Compare: Food Science Technician vs. Chemical Technician · Food Science Technician vs. QC Inspector · Food Science Technician vs. Agricultural Inspector · Food Science Technician vs. Microbiologist

Food Science Technician FAQ

Do food science techs need a degree?

Usually an associate degree.

Where do they work?

Food plants, labs and test kitchens.

Is taste testing part of the job?

Often, through sensory panels.

How much does a food science technician make?

The median annual wage for food science technicians was $52,130 ($25.06 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,820 and the highest 10% earned more than $78,820.

How long does it take to become a food science technician?

Most people need about 2 years of training. An associate degree in food science, chemistry or biology is typical, plus on-the-job training.

Do you need a degree to be a food science technician?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More food science technician questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-4013 (Food science technicians).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Food science technicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Food Science Technician