Career Overview
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
Also Known As
- Central Laboratory Technician (CLT)
- Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)
- QC Tech (Quality Control Technician)
- Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)
Alternate Job Titles
- Beer Brewer
- Biotechnician
- Bottle House QC Technician (Bottle House Quality Control Technician)
- Butter Fat Tester
- Central Laboratory Technician (CLT)
- Cheese Tester
- Cream Tester
- Dairy and Food Laboratory Assistant (Dairy and Food Lab Assist)
- Dairy Laboratory Technician (Dairy Lab Tech)
- Dairy Technician (Dairy Tech)
- Dairy Technologist
- Dairy Tester
- Data Control Assistant
- Fermentologist
- Flavor Technician (Flavor Tech)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
- Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Food Production
- Production and Processing
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Recognition
- Visual Color Discrimination
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Achievement
- Independence
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Agar plates
- Anaerobic jars
- Benchtop centrifuges
- Bioluminometers
- Boiling water baths
- Bunsen burners
- Calorimeters
- Colony counters
- Color testing equipment
- Compound binocular light microscopes
- Desktop computers
- Dessicators
- Distilling equipment
- Dropping pipettes
- Dry bulb thermometers
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $37,760 |
| Median | $49,430 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $75,100 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 14,200
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Food Scientists and Technologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $85,310
Chemical Technicians
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $57,790
Quality Control Analysts
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $60,130
Agricultural Technicians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,790
Agricultural Inspectors
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $50,990
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.