Food Science Technicians
Perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products.
How AI Impacts Each Task
16 tasks analyzed
Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
Monitor and control temperature of products.
Compute moisture or salt content, percentages of ingredients, formulas, or other product factors, using mathematical and chemical procedures.
Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
Train newly hired laboratory personnel.
Prepare or incubate slides with cell cultures.
Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
Mix, blend, or cultivate ingredients to make reagents or to manufacture food or beverage products.
Order supplies needed to maintain inventories in laboratories or in storage facilities of food or beverage processing plants.
Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.
Supervise other food science technicians.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 10% | |
| Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients. | 58.75Observed | 56.5% | 15% | |
| Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 8% | |
| Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics. | 10Estimated | 31.0% | 5% | |
| Monitor and control temperature of products. | 72.5Observed | 78.2% | 5% | |
| Compute moisture or salt content, percentages of ingredients, formulas, or other product factors, using mathematical and chemical procedures. | 41.77Observed | 65.9% | 8% | |
| Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 8% | |
| Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 8% | |
| Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control. | 38.1Observed | 42.2% | 8% | |
| Train newly hired laboratory personnel. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Prepare or incubate slides with cell cultures. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 4% | |
| Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications. | 80Estimated | 65.0% | 5% | |
| Mix, blend, or cultivate ingredients to make reagents or to manufacture food or beverage products. | 66.67Observed | 59.7% | 4% | |
| Order supplies needed to maintain inventories in laboratories or in storage facilities of food or beverage processing plants. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope. | 45.73Observed | 45.3% | 2% | |
| Supervise other food science technicians. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 5% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Food Science Technicians skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
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Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis