Agricultural and food science technicians held about 29,200 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of agricultural and food science technicians were as follows:
| Food manufacturing | 24% |
| Support activities for agriculture and forestry | 18 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 16 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | 14 |
| Crop production | 3 |
Technicians work in a variety of settings, including laboratories, processing plants, farms and ranches, greenhouses, and offices. Technicians who work in processing plants and agricultural settings may face noise from processing and farming machinery, extreme temperatures, and odors from chemicals or animals. They may need to lift and carry objects, and be physically active for long periods of time.
Work Schedules
Agricultural and food science technicians typically work full time and have standard work schedules. Technicians may need to travel, including international travel.
Agricultural and food science technicians typically need an associate’s degree in biology, chemistry, crop or animal science, or a related field. Some positions require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree, and others a high school diploma or equivalent plus related work experience.
Education
Students interested in a career as an agricultural or food science technician should take as many high school science and math classes as possible. A solid background in applied chemistry, biology, physics, math, and statistics is important. Knowledge of how to use spreadsheets and databases also may be necessary.
Agricultural and food science technicians typically need an associate’s degree in biology, chemistry, crop or animal science, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Some agricultural and food science technician positions require a bachelor’s degree.
Students may take courses in biology, chemistry, plant or animal science, and agricultural engineering as part of their programs. Programs include technical instruction and hands-on experience. Many schools offer internships, cooperative-education, and other programs designed to provide practical experience and enhance employment prospects.
Some agricultural and food science technicians successfully enter the occupation with a high school diploma or equivalent, but they typically need related work experience and on-the-job training that may last a year or more.
Training
Agricultural and food science technicians typically undergo on-the-job training. Various federal government regulations outline the types of training needed for technicians, which varies by work environment and specific job requirements. Training may cover topics such as production techniques, personal hygiene, and sanitation procedures.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Workers who enter the occupation with only a high school diploma or equivalent often must have experience in a related occupation during which they develop their knowledge of agriculture or manufacturing processes. These related occupations include food and tobacco processing workers and agricultural workers.
Agricultural and food science technicians typically have an interest in the Building, Thinking and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as an agricultural and food science technician, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Agricultural and food science technicians should also possess the following specific 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.
Communication skills. Agricultural and food science technicians must be able to understand and give clear instructions, keep detailed records, and occasionally may need to write reports.
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 or specialists, so effective communication is critical.
Physical stamina. Agricultural and food science technicians who work in manufacturing or agricultural settings may need to stand for long periods, lift objects, and generally perform physical labor.
The median annual wage for agricultural and food science technicians was $41,230 in May 2019. 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 $28,030, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $64,180.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for agricultural and food science technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | $42,320 |
| Food manufacturing | 41,370 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 38,300 |
Agricultural and food science technicians typically work full time and have standard work schedules. Technicians may need to travel, including international travel.
Employment of agricultural and food technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand will continue for agricultural research into areas such as the effects of population growth, increased demand for water resources, harm from pests and pathogens, changes in climate and weather patterns, and demand for agricultural products, such as biofuels.
Agricultural science technicians will be needed to assist agricultural and food scientists in investigating and improving the diets, living conditions, and even genetic makeup of livestock. Food science technicians will assist scientists to improve food-processing techniques, ensuring that products are safe, waste is limited, and food is shipped efficiently. Technicians will also continue to assist in studies that analyze soil composition and soil improvement techniques, find uses for agricultural byproducts, and selectively breed crops to resist pests and disease, or improve taste.
For more information about agricultural and soil science occupations, visit
Soil Science Society of America
For more information about food and animal science occupations, visit
American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists
American Society of Animal Science
Institute of Food Technologists
For information from related governmental agencies, visit
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Food and Drug Administration