Agricultural and Food Science Technicians

Summary

What Agricultural and Food Science Technicians Do About this section

Agricultural and food science technicians may keep detailed records and collect samples for analyses.

Agricultural and food science technicians help agricultural and food scientists with testing and research related to plants, animals, fibers, and food and beverage products.

Duties

Specific duties of these technicians vary with their specialty.

Agricultural science technicians typically do the following:

• Follow protocols to collect, prepare, analyze, and properly store crop or animal samples
• Operate farm equipment and maintain agricultural production areas to conform to scientific testing parameters
• Examine animal and crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems
• Prepare and operate laboratory testing equipment
• Compile and analyze test results
• Prepare charts, presentations, and reports describing test results

Food science technicians typically do the following:

• Follow protocols to collect, prepare, and properly store food or food-related samples
• Test food, food additives, and food containers to ensure that 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
• Prepare charts, presentations, and reports describing test results
• Prepare and maintain quantities of chemicals needed to perform laboratory tests
• Maintain a safe, sterile laboratory environment

Agricultural and food science technicians often specialize by subject area, such as animal health, farm machinery, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, or processing technology. Duties may vary considerably by specialization.

Agricultural science technicians typically study ways to increase the productivity of crops and animals. These workers may collect samples for analysis, test crops and animals for disease or to confirm results of experiments, and keep detailed records.

Food science technicians who work in manufacturing investigate new production or processing techniques. They also ensure that products will be fit for distribution or are produced as efficiently as expected. Many food science technicians spend time inspecting foodstuffs, chemicals, and additives to determine whether they are safe and have the proper combination of ingredients.

Work Environment About this section

Agricultural and food science technicians work on farms and ranches, in greenhouses, offices, laboratories, and processing plants.

Agricultural technicians held about 19,600 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of agricultural technicians were as follows:

Food science technicians held about 25,100 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of food science technicians were as follows:

Agricultural and food science technicians work in a variety of settings, including laboratories, processing plants, farms and ranches, greenhouses, and offices. Those who work in processing plants and agricultural settings may face noise from processing and farming machinery, extreme temperatures, and odors from chemicals or animals.

Technicians might need to wear personal protective equipment, such as hearing protection or gloves, to reduce the risk of harm. They also may need to lift and carry objects and be physically active for long periods. Travel may be required.

Work Schedules

Most agricultural and food science technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules vary and may include weekends and evenings.

How to Become an Agricultural or Food Science Technician About this section

Agricultural and food science technicians conduct a variety of observations and on-site measurements.

Entry requirements for agricultural and food science technicians vary. Some employers require or prefer that candidates have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, agriculture, or a related field. Other employers hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent and related work experience.

Education

High school students interested in becoming an agricultural or food science technician should take science and math classes such as biology, chemistry, physics, and statistics.

Although entry requirements vary, agricultural and food science technicians typically need an associate’s degree. Some agricultural and food science technicians enter the occupation with a high school diploma or the equivalent and related work experience. Others may need a bachelor’s degree.

Common fields of degree include biology, a physical science such as chemistry, and agriculture. Students may choose to major in a specific concentration within agriculture, such as animal, crop, or food science.

Students may pursue internships and other opportunities to gain practical experience while still in school.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Workers who enter the occupation with a high school diploma or the equivalent may need experience in a related occupation that has helped them develop knowledge of agriculture or manufacturing processes. Examples of related occupations include food and tobacco processing workers and agricultural workers.

Training

Agricultural and food science technicians typically receive training on the job after they are hired. For example, they may work alongside a more experienced technician or scientist while learning how to collect samples, operate equipment, and do other tasks. Training also might cover topics such as production techniques and sanitation procedures.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Agricultural and food science technicians must synthesize information from a variety of test results and samples.

Communication skills. Agricultural and food science technicians must understand and give clear instructions, convey information in presentations or reports, and, occasionally, write reports.

Decision-making skills. Agricultural and food science technicians use reasoning and judgment to reach conclusions, such as for determining how to improve food quality.

Detail oriented. Agricultural and food science technicians must conduct and record observations and measurements with precision and accuracy.

Interpersonal skills. Agricultural and food science technicians collaborate with others, including scientists and agricultural and food processing workers.

Physical stamina. Agricultural and food science technicians may need to stand for long periods, lift objects, and perform physical labor.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for agricultural technicians was $43,180 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,750, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,470.

The median annual wage for food science technicians was $49,090 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,290, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,630.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for agricultural technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

In May 2023, the median annual wages for food science technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most agricultural and food science technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules vary and may include evenings and weekends.

Job Outlook About this section

Overall employment of agricultural and food science technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 6,900 openings for agricultural and food science technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Demand will continue for agricultural research into topics such as water resources, pests and pathogens, climate and weather patterns, and biofuels and other agricultural products.

Agricultural science technicians will be needed to assist agricultural and food scientists in investigating and improving the diets, living conditions, and genetic makeup of livestock. Food science technicians will help scientists improve food-processing techniques, ensuring that products are safe, waste is limited, and food is shipped efficiently. Technicians also will continue to be needed to help analyze soil composition and soil improvement techniques, find uses for agricultural byproducts, and selectively breed crops to resist pests and disease or to improve taste.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Agricultural technicians
• Food science technicians

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about agricultural and soil science occupations, visit

American Society of Agronomy (ASA)

National FFA Organization (FFA)

Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

For more information about food and animal science occupations, visit

American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS)

American Society of Animal Science (ASAS)

Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)

For information from related governmental agencies, visit

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

O*NET

Agricultural Technicians

Food Science Technicians

Precision Agriculture Technicians