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.
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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)
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
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 |
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Average |
$ 22.86 |
$47,550 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians* |
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
| 32% |
| 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 |
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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.
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- Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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- 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.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- 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.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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- Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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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.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- 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.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
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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.
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- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
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- Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
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- Monitor and control temperature of products.
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- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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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 |
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Education and Experience:
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians* |
- Typical education needed for entry
Associate's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Moderate-term on-the-job training
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* 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 |
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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
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Low | | High |
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Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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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.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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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% |
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Licensing
Vermont may require an occupational license: |
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Select a license for details |
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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).
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- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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- Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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- Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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More at O*NET |
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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.
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- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Evaluate quality of materials or products.
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- Test quality of materials or finished products.
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- Record research or operational data.
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- Measure physical or chemical properties of materials or objects.
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- Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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