How long does it take to become a food science technician?

Typically about two years for the degree, then a few months to a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do food science technicians make?

The US median is $52,130 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a food science technician?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a food science technician?

1,697 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a food science technician

Science · SOC 19-4013

$52,130US median pay, 2025

+4.8%Projected growth, 2025–35

3,000Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Associate's degree
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Work as a food science technician

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Biology/Biological Sciences, General	CIP 26.0101	1,632
Chemistry, General	CIP 40.0501	1,176
Biochemistry	CIP 26.0202	580
Microbiology, General	CIP 26.0502	112
Food Science	CIP 01.1001	70
Agricultural and Food Products Processing	CIP 01.0401	21
Food Technology and Processing	CIP 01.1002	18
Food Science and Technology, Other	CIP 01.1099	15
Brewing Science	CIP 01.1003	12
Zymology/Fermentation Science	CIP 01.1005	3

See the 1,697 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a food science technician?: Typically about two years for the degree, then a few months to a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do food science technicians make?: The US median is $52,130 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a food science technician?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a food science technician?: 1,697 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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