Careers / Food Science Technicians
Food Science Technicians — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$52,130
United States, 2025
Employment
14,600
United States, 2025
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone 3
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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
- Experience required
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$39,820
25th percentile
$46,020
75th percentile
$63,270
90th percentile
$78,820
Most important skills
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Active Listening3.5
- Writing3.5
- Speaking3.5
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Science3.3
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Coordination3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management3.0
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 14 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
14
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.5 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Speaking | 3.5 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Active Listening | 3.5 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Science | 3.3 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
Related careers
Supplemental
National median $62,470
Compare with Food Science TechniciansSupplemental
National median not published
Compare with Food Science TechniciansSupplemental
National median not published
Compare with Food Science TechniciansSupplemental
National median $51,610
Compare with Food Science TechniciansSupplemental
National median $35,730
Compare with Food Science TechniciansHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $86,300 | 40 | 2025 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY | $84,320 | 60 | 2025 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $83,030 | 50 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $79,850 | 420 | 2025 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $73,030 | 60 | 2025 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $72,950 | 40 | 2025 |
| Chicago, IL | $66,630 | 250 | 2025 |
| St. Louis, MO | $66,230 | 100 | 2025 |
| VA | $65,360 | 150 | 2025 |
| KY | $64,770 | 160 | 2025 |
| Sacramento, CA | $64,620 | 200 | 2025 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $64,480 | 80 | 2025 |
| Boston, MA | $63,160 | 130 | 2025 |
| WA | $62,070 | 660 | 2025 |
| Buffalo, NY | $61,870 | 80 | 2025 |
| Napa, CA | $61,430 | 140 | 2025 |
| Baltimore, MD | $61,410 | 200 | 2025 |
| VT | $60,980 | 50 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $60,980 | 310 | 2025 |
| IL | $60,820 | 290 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Food Science Technicians to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.