Number of Jobs, 2010 21,300
Job Outlook, 2010-20 7% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20 1,500
What Agricultural and Food Science Technicians Do
Under the supervision of scientists, agricultural and food science technicians measure and analyze the quality of food and agricultural products.
Work Environment
Agricultural and food science technicians work in offices, laboratories, and in processing plants.
How to Become an Agricultural or Food Science Technician
Agricultural and food science technicians typically need an associate’s degree in animal science or a related field. Technicians who have only a high school diploma typically get more on-the-job training than those with an associate’s degree.
Pay
The median annual wage of agricultural and food science technicians was $32,760 in May 2010.
Job Outlook
Employment of agricultural and food science technicians is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of agricultural and food science technicians with similar occupations.
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What Agricultural and Food Science Technicians Do
Technicians test food, food additives, and food containers to ensure they comply with established safety standards.
Under the supervision of scientists, agricultural and food science technicians measure and analyze the quality of food and agricultural products.
Duties
Specific duties of these technicians vary, depending on their specialty.
Agricultural technicians typically do the following:
Follow protocols to prepare, analyze, and store crop or animal samples properly
Examine animals and other specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems
Measure ingredients used in testing or animal feed and other purposes
Compile and analyze test results that go into charts, presentations, and reports
Prepare and operate complex equipment to do laboratory tests
Food science technicians typically do the following:
Prepare samples following established procedures
Test food, food additives, and food containers to ensure they comply with established safety standards
Help food scientists with food research, development, and quality control
Analyze chemical properties of food to determine ingredients and formulas
Compile and analyze test results that go into charts, presentations, and reports
Keep a safe, sterile laboratory environment
Agricultural technicians who work in private industry focus on the condition of crops and animals, not on processed foods. These workers may prepare samples for analyses, ensure that samples meet proper safety standards, and test crops and animals for disease.
Food science technicians who work in private industry inspect food and crops, including processed food, to ensure the product is fit for distribution. A large portion of food science technicians’ time is spent inspecting foodstuffs, chemicals, and additives to determine whether they are safe and have the proper combination of ingredients.
Agricultural and food science technicians who work for the federal government monitor regulatory compliance for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Agriculture, and other agencies. As a result of the recent passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the frequency of food inspections has increased, along with improvements in performance standards.
Work Environment
Agricultural and food science technicians work in offices, laboratories, and processing plants.
Agricultural and food science technicians held about 21,300 jobs in 2010. The following industries employed the largest number of agricultural and food science technicians in 2010:
Colleges, universities, and professional schools;
state, local, and private 27%
Support activities for agriculture and forestry 13
Scientific research and development services 8
Animal slaughtering and processing 7
Dairy product manufacturing 5
Technicians work in a variety of settings including offices, laboratories, and in processing plants. Technicians who work in processing plants may face unpleasant working conditions, such as noise from processing machinery.
How to Become an Agricultural or Food Science Technician
Agricultural and food science technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree in animal science or a related field.
Agricultural and food science technicians typically need an associate’s degree in animal science or a related field. Technicians who have only a high school diploma typically get more on-the-job training than do those with a college degree.
Education and Training
People interested in this occupation should take as many high school science and math classes as possible. A solid background in applied chemistry, physics, and math is vital.
Agricultural and food science technicians typically need an associate’s degree in animal science or a related field from an accredited college or university. While in college, prospective technicians learn through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning, such as an internship.
A background in the biological sciences is important for food and agricultural technicians. Students should take courses in biology, chemistry, animal science, and agricultural engineering as part of their programs. Many schools offer internships, cooperative-education, and other experiential programs designed to enhance employment prospects.
Technicians with a high school diploma usually complete an extensive training program under the supervision of a more-experienced technician. These training programs can last a year or more.
Important Qualities
Analytical skills. Agricultural and food science technicians must conduct a variety of observations and on-site measurements, all of which require precision and accuracy.
Critical-thinking skills. Agricultural and food science technicians reach conclusions through sound reasoning and judgment. They determine how to improve food quality and must test products for a variety of safety standards.
Interpersonal skills. Agricultural and food science technicians need to work well with others. They may supervise agricultural and food science workers and receive instruction from scientists