Food Science Technicians
SOC Code: 19-4013 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Food Science Technicians. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $60,050 | $85,155 | $110,240 | $135,346 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $48,464 | $70,054 | $91,645 | $113,235 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $45,323 | $62,837 | $80,371 | $97,885 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $50,274 | $61,381 | $72,509 | $83,616 |
| Rockford, IL | $50,128 | $61,256 | $72,384 | $83,512 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $51,251 | $61,901 | $72,550 | $83,200 |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $49,754 | $60,819 | $71,864 | $82,930 |
| Kankakee, IL | $48,859 | $60,091 | $71,302 | $82,534 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $48,589 | $59,696 | $70,824 | $81,931 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $49,171 | $60,070 | $70,990 | $81,890 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 | |
| Speaking | 3.5 | |
| Active Listening | 3.5 | |
| Writing | 3.5 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Science | 3.2 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | |
| Coordination | 3.1 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Food Production | 3.8 |
| Production and Processing | 3.7 |
| Chemistry | 3.5 |
| English Language | 3.4 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.1 |
| Biology | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Administrative | 2.6 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 32.3% |
| Associate's degree | 23.0% |
| High school diploma | 16.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.8% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 12.3% |
| Other | 1.2% |
| Post-first professional | 1.2% |
Typical Tasks
- 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.
- Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Visio Microsoft Word SAP software SAS Apache JMeter Apache Struts Database software Graphical user interface GUI design software
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