Career comparison
Agricultural Technician vs. Food Science Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Food science technicians earn more at the median ($52,130 vs. $49,630), while agricultural technicians usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Agricultural technicians support crop, soil and livestock research in fields and labs. Food science technicians test food and ingredients to keep products safe, consistent and tasty.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Agricultural Technician | Food Science Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,630 ($23.86/hr) | $52,130 ($25.06/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,980 – $76,480 | $39,820 – $78,820 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.4% (faster than average) | +4.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 2,800 | 3,000 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 2 years | 2 years |
| Key credential | Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) | HACCP certification |
| Work setting | Technicians split time between fields, greenhouses and labs, working outdoors in heat and weather during the season.. | Technicians work in food plant labs, production floors and test kitchens, which can be cold or hot.. |
What each job does
Agricultural Technician
- Plant and maintain research plots
- Collect soil, plant and water samples
- Measure growth, yield and quality
- Run lab tests and prepare samples
- Operate plot planters and harvesters
Food Science Technician
- Sample products and ingredients
- Run quality and safety tests
- Monitor food safety programs
- Conduct sensory evaluations
- Help develop products
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working with information, and teamwork. They sit in different fields, agriculture, landscaping & animal care and science, engineering & lab, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose agricultural technician if…
- I like science and farming
- I enjoy both field and lab work
- I’m careful with measurements
Choose food science technician if…
- I like science and food
- I’m detail-oriented
- I want a two-year degree
Still torn? Take the Agricultural Technician fit quiz and the Food Science Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, agricultural technician or food science technician?
Food Science Technicians earn more at the median: $52,130 versus $49,630 for agricultural technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Agricultural Technicians typically train faster (2 years) than food science technicians (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects agricultural technicians to grow +5.4% from 2025–35, compared with +4.8% for food science technicians.