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.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
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
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. PayThe median annual wage for agricultural technicians was $49,630 in May 2025.The median annual wage for food science technicians was $52,130 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for agricultural and food science technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of agricultural and food science technicians with similar occupations. 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.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for agricultural technicians was $49,630 in May 2025.The median annual wage for food science technicians was $52,130 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for agricultural and food science technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of agricultural and food science technicians with similar occupations. 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.
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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for agricultural and food science technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of agricultural and food science technicians with similar occupations. 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.
What They Do
Agricultural and food science technicians help scientists with testing and research related to plants, animals, fibers, and food and beverage products.
Work Environment
Agricultural and food science technicians work in laboratories, processing plants, farms and ranches, greenhouses, and offices. Most agricultural and food science technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become an Agricultural or Food Science Technician
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for agricultural technicians was $49,630 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for food science technicians was $52,130 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for agricultural and food science technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of agricultural and food science technicians with similar occupations.
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.
Work Environment
Agricultural and food science technicians work in laboratories, processing plants, farms and ranches, greenhouses, and offices. Most agricultural and food science technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become an Agricultural or Food Science Technician
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for agricultural technicians was $49,630 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for food science technicians was $52,130 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for agricultural and food science technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of agricultural and food science technicians with similar occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for agricultural and food science technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of agricultural and food science technicians with similar occupations.
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.
More Information
Learn more about agricultural and food science technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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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.