Data & Research
 
* ELMI Occupation Profile - Food Science Technicians *
 
Food Science Technicians
(O*NET 19-4013.00, SOC 19-4013)
What they 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.
 
Also called:
Central Laboratory Technician (CLT), Food Science Tech (Food Science Technician), Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Lab Technician), QC Tech (Quality Assurance Technician), QC Tech (Quality Control Technician), Quality Analyst, Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst), Quality Tech (Quality Technician)
 
 
Wages
Vermont - 2023
Percentile1HourlyYearly
10% $ 19.89   $41,360  
25% $ 22.08   $45,920  
Median $ 22.88   $47,590  
75% $ 23.42   $48,710  
90% $ 26.28   $54,670  
 
Average $ 22.86   $47,550  
1 What are Percentile Wages?
More at CareerOneStop
 
Industries of Employment
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians*
United States - 2020
IndustryPercent of total
  • Food manufacturing
32%
  • Crop production
18%
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services
17%
  • Educational services; state, local, and private
14%
  • Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing
4%
* You're seeing information for "Agricultural and Food Science Technicians" because it includes "Food Science Technicians" for which industries of employment information is not available.
More at BLS
 
Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about:
  • Food Production
    Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
  • Production and Processing
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Chemistry
    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • English Language
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and Electronics
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
More at O*NET
 
Skills
People in this career often have these skills:
  • Reading Comprehension
    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Active Listening
    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking
    Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Writing
    Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Critical Thinking
    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
More at O*NET
 
Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments:
  • Realistic
    Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
  • Investigative
    Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
  • Conventional
    Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler
 
Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
    Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Dependability
    Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Independence
    Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
  • Integrity
    Job requires being honest and ethical.
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
    Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
More at O*NET
 
Tasks
On the job, you would:
  • 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.
More at O*NET
 
Related Occupations
More at O*NET
 
 
Career Video
Watch at CareerOneStop with transcript or at YouTube.
 
Projected Employment
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians*
 Vermont
2020 employment 193
2030 employment 196
Annual percent change
(compounded)
0.2%
Annual projected job openings
(due to change and separations)
24
* You're seeing information for "Agricultural and Food Science Technicians" because it includes "Food Science Technicians" for which projected employment information is not available.
More at Occupational Projections
 
Education and Experience:
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians*
  • Typical education needed for entry
    Associate's degree
  • Work experience in a related occupation
    None
  • Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
    Moderate-term on-the-job training
* You're seeing information for "Agricultural and Food Science Technicians" because it includes "Food Science Technicians" for which education and experience information is not available.
Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications
 
Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
 
  • Physical activity is Somewhat Important
  • Level of activity is Low
Importance
Low   High
Level
Compare Occupations at O*NET
 
Job Zone
Medium Preparation Needed
  • Specific Vocational Preparation Range
    (6.0 to < 7.0) - A typical worker will require over 1 year up to and including 2 years of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP
 
Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have?
Education level Percent of
U.S. Workers
Doctoral or professional degree
or post-MA certificate
  2%
Master's degree or
post-BA certificate
  13%
Bachelor's degree   32%
Associate's degree   23%
Certificate or some college,
no degree
  12%
High school diploma
or equivalent
  17%
Less than high school diploma   1%
More at O*NET
 
Licensing
Vermont may require an occupational license:
Select a license for details
 
Abilities
People in this career often have talent in:
  • Near Vision
    The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Comprehension
    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written Comprehension
    The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Written Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
More at O*NET
 
Work Activities
In general, what you might do:
  • Training and Teaching Others
    Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Working with Computers
    Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Documenting/Recording Information
    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
More at O*NET
 
Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day:
  • Evaluate quality of materials or products.
  • Test quality of materials or finished products.
  • Record research or operational data.
  • Measure physical or chemical properties of materials or objects.
  • Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
More at O*NET
 
Other Resources
  • CareerOneStop
    resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
  • O*NET Online
    nation's primary source of occupational information
 
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This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

BLS

This page includes information produced in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and State Occupational Projections programs.

 
 
 
 
Vermont.gov State of Vermont Department of Labor