Food Science Technicians

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources · Food Products and Processing Systems

Bright outlookJob zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 19-4013.00

Pay and outlook shown for

median pay per year, Texas (no San Antonio figure is published for this career)

$37k10th$48kMedian$76k90th

New workers start near $37,040; experienced workers reach $76,130. About 900 people do this job in Texas.

Job outlook

Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.

Employment change: +12.5%; Alamo region, 88 to 99 jobs · U.S. +5%
Openings a year: 15; in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 3,200
Employed in 2024: 88; in the Alamo region · U.S. 20,400

Typical entry education: Associate's degree · Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Alamo Colleges programs that lead here

13 programs, with the college that teaches each.

Showing 10 of 13.

Apply to Alamo Colleges

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

Reading Comprehension3.9
Writing3.4
Speaking3.4
Active Listening3.1
Critical Thinking3.4
Science3.3
Monitoring3.1
Coordination3.1

What the work is

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.

Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
Compute moisture or salt content, percentages of ingredients, formulas, or other product factors, using mathematical and chemical procedures.
Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

High school or less17%
Some college12%
Associate degree23%
Bachelor's degree32%
Master's degree13%
Doctoral or professional2%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

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