Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become an Agricultural or Food Science Technician 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.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Overall employment of agricultural and food science technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 5,900 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 are expected to 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. Agricultural and Food Science Technicians Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Agricultural and food science technicians 5% Life, physical, and social science technicians 5% Agricultural technicians 5% Food science technicians 5% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Agricultural and Food Science Technicians Do
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
Work Environment
Agricultural technicians held about 19,500 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of agricultural technicians were as follows:
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | 23% |
| Animal production and aquaculture | 14 |
| Wholesale trade | 14 |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 11 |
| Crop production | 4 |
Food science technicians held about 20,800 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of food science technicians were as follows:
| Food manufacturing | 45% |
| Animal production and aquaculture | 17 |
| Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing | 7 |
| Crop production | 5 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 4 |
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.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. 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.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about agricultural and food science technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.