Food Science Technicians Career, Salary and Skills
Food Science Technicians have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $52,130 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 14,600. Wage data is published for 111 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
19-4013.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
National salary and employment
Median annual
$52,130
Hourly median
$25.06
Employment
14,600
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Writing | 3.50 | 3.38 |
| Speaking | 3.50 | 3.38 |
| Active Listening | 3.50 | 3.12 |
| Science | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Coordination | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.12 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology
- Apache JMeter
- Apache Struts
- Database software
- Graphical user interface GUI design software
- Graphics software
- IBM Lotus Notes
- IBM WebSphere
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SQL Server
Food Science Technicians salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Food Science Technicians Salary in CAMedian $54,200 · Employment 3,990
- Food Science Technicians Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $54,410 · Employment 970
- Food Science Technicians Salary in TXMedian $47,760 · Employment 900
- Food Science Technicians Salary in ORMedian $50,590 · Employment 820
- Food Science Technicians Salary in WAMedian $62,070 · Employment 660
- Food Science Technicians Salary in PAMedian $48,060 · Employment 590
- Food Science Technicians Salary in NJMedian $56,730 · Employment 590
- Food Science Technicians Salary in NYMedian $55,470 · Employment 580
- Food Science Technicians Salary in New York, NYMedian $60,020 · Employment 580
- Food Science Technicians Salary in IDMedian $48,980 · Employment 560
- Food Science Technicians Salary in WIMedian $55,690 · Employment 540
- Food Science Technicians Salary in INMedian $44,630 · Employment 530
Related careers
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- Animal ScientistsNational median $68,940
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory TechnologistsNational median not published
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory TechniciansNational median not published
- Biological TechniciansNational median $57,510
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersNational median $51,610
- Graders and Sorters, Agricultural ProductsNational median $35,730
- Food BatchmakersNational median $42,290
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.