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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $49,430 in the US and is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Associate's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.54 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Writing, Active Listening, Critical Thinking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £28,210 a year for Laboratory technicians (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £24,975 to £34,028 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3111). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Food science technicians, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
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Biochemistry — B.Sc / B.Sc (Hons) in Biochemistry (three years, or four with honours under NEP)
Entrance exams: CUET-UG
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Food Technology — B.Tech in Food Technology or Food Process Engineering (four years)
Entrance exams: JEE Main, CUET-UG, MHT CET, KCET
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Microbiology — B.Sc / B.Sc (Hons) in Microbiology (three years, or four with honours under NEP)
Entrance exams: CUET-UG
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Food Production
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Administrative
A day in the life
You start the morning in the quality lab taking samples from the production line, checking product temperatures and making sure everything is being stored correctly. You measure and test containers for strength and seal quality, then taste and smell samples to confirm the flavour matches the specification. Mid-morning you examine samples under the microscope for bacteria or foreign matter, carefully documenting anything you find. After lunch you analyse the results against standard tables to grade each batch and record them in the lab database. Later you prepare charts and reports for the quality manager and for the records the food regulator requires. Cleaning, calibrating and sterilising the lab equipment is routine, and it has to be done precisely every single day. The repetitive testing can feel monotonous at times. But knowing that your careful checks keep unsafe food off the shelves gives the work a quiet sense of purpose.
Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Food science technicians do?
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.
What does a typical day look like in Food science technicians?
You start the morning in the quality lab taking samples from the production line, checking product temperatures and making sure everything is being stored correctly. You measure and test containers for strength and seal quality, then taste and smell samples to confirm the flavour matches the specification. Mid-morning you examine samples under the microscope for bacteria or foreign matter, carefully documenting anything you find.
How much does Food science technicians earn?
The median annual salary for Food science technicians in the US is $49,430.
What is the job outlook for Food science technicians?
The role is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 20,400 workers.
How do I become food science technicians?
The typical entry education is a Associate's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Food science technicians need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Writing, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Science. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Food science technicians?
Our AI-durability model gives Food science technicians a score of 0.54 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Food science technicians has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.