Agricultural and Food Science Technicians

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.

Agricultural technicians held about 18,600 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of agricultural technicians were as follows:

Food science technicians held about 20,400 jobs in 2024. 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.

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.

The median annual wage for agricultural technicians was $46,790 in May 2024.

The median annual wage for food science technicians was $49,430 in May 2024.

Overall employment of agricultural and food science technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 6,100 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.