Food technician
Also known as: food technology expert, food tech specialist, food tech expert, food technology specialist
About this occupation
Food technicians assist food technologists in the deveolpment of processes for manufacturing foodstuffs and related products based on chemical, physical, and biological principles. They perform research and experiments on ingredients, additives and packaging. Food technicians also check product quality to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations.
Essential skills and knowledge
- identify the factors causing changes in food during storage
- manage all process engineering activities
- monitor the production line
- apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages
- prepare visual data
- food and beverage industry
- carry out checks of production plant equipment
- apply HACCP
- pathogenic microorganisms in food
- ensure public safety and security
- apply GMP
- schedule regular machine maintenance
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Food Science Technicians (O*NET 19-4013.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Science, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$52,130 a year (2025), 14,600 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Agriculture or Foods and NutritionO*NET: Food ProductionVery important (3.8)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Food Scientists and Technologists
- Chemical Technicians
- Quality Control Analysts
- Agricultural Technicians
- Agricultural Inspectors
- Quality Control Systems Managers
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.