Food Science Technicians earn $52,130 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $46,020 and $63,270. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
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.
Also known as:
Food Science Technicians earn $52,130 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,020 and $63,270. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Food Science Technicians roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +4.8% employment change for Food Science Technicians through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 3,200 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
About as fast as average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Food Science Technicians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $52,130 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 4,000 | $50,960 | -2.2% |
| 2 | Texas | 970 | $46,170 | -11.4% |
| 3 | New York | 750 | $52,530 | +0.8% |
| 4 | New Jersey | 610 | $52,390 | +0.5% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 580 | $49,050 | -5.9% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Food Science Technicians positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The 6 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 103,883 | $57,214 | 1,774 |
| 2 | Chemistry | 19,976 | $65,120 | 1,380 |
| 3 | Biochemistry & Biophysics | 14,354 | $65,466 | 763 |
| 4 | Microbiology | 4,815 | $62,582 | 201 |
| 5 | Food Science and Technology | 2,181 | $70,873 | 162 |
| 6 | Agricultural and Food Products Processing | 198 | $80,757 | 30 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 5 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
Once you've sized up Food Science Technicians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Food Science Technicians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
The data on Food Science Technicians shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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