As of August 2026, Food Science Technicians has an AI-exposure score of 66/100 (High exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Score inputs for this role: This role starts from O*NET 29.1 occupational descriptors and is empirically grounded by Penn/OpenAI GPTs are GPTs study, Anthropic Economic Index (June 26, 2026). BLS labor-market figures are separate context, not score inputs.

AI Exposure Score for

Food Science Technicians

66/100
High exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 82% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$52,130. About 3,200 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 - growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) - your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

Will AI replace Food Science Technicians?

No exposure score can predict whether AI will replace this role. The 66/100 score means our current model estimates high task exposure from the sources listed on this page. It does not predict an employer decision, headcount, or an individual outcome. The task map below shows the work assessed and where human judgment remains important.

Early-career context (study ages 22-25)

This role's High score and automation-heavy task mix point in the same direction as the study's highest-exposure automation cohort. The measures are not identical, so the study result is context rather than a direct forecast for this role.

The November 2025 revision reports a 16% relative employment decline for workers ages 22-25 in the most AI-exposed U.S. occupations, after firm-level controls, relative to workers in less-exposed fields and more experienced workers in the same occupations.

Use the task map to identify durable work and the skills worth building early.

Stanford Digital Economy Lab, Canaries in the Coal Mine - November 2025 revision

This is group-level U.S. payroll evidence, not a personal forecast. The authors do not claim that AI alone caused the change, and this context does not alter the exposure score.

How this role compares to similar Science roles

Food Science Technicians (this role)
66
Chemical Technicians
65
Nuclear Technicians
65
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
67
Survey Researchers
67
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
68
See all roles by exposure →
Data sources, not endorsements: O*NET and curated role data; empirical AI signals where matched; BLS employment, pay, and demand as separate context.Methodology Data sources
Role snapshot

What this role usually involves

O*NET 29.1 exact occupation

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.

Common titles
Central Laboratory Technician (CLT)Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)QC Tech (Quality Control Technician)Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)Food Science Tech (Food Science Technician)Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant)
O*NET job-zone preparation
Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparation Needed Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

Broad guidance for this preparation level; exact requirements vary by role and employer.

Skills and knowledge
Reading ComprehensionSpeakingWritingCritical ThinkingScienceCoordination
Work context
Indoor controlled settingFrequent contact with othersRepeating tasksDecision latitude

Source: O*NET 29.1 exact occupation - Food Science Technicians, SOC 19-4013.00. Context describes the role; the AI-exposure score remains a separate task-exposure estimate.

Know someone whose job is changing? Share your score.
Post Share Score card
Every share sends them to their own free scan.

Food Science Technicians tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable
  • Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
  • Mix, blend, or cultivate ingredients to make reagents or to manufacture food or beverage products.
  • Monitor and control temperature of products.
12 more automatable tasks locked in the report.
Augmentable

No augmentable tasks identified for this role - its individually-assessed tasks split 94% automatable / 6% durable.

Durable
  • Supervise other food science technicians.

We analyzed all 16 Food Science Technicians tasks - 15 automatable and 1 durable. The full task map - every task with exactly what to do about each - is in your Career Report.

Create a free account - see 2 more tasks + 2 more adjacent paths, free No card required.

Your report unlocks three concrete artifacts

Full task map

Every task scored with what to automate, augment, or protect.

Adjacent path comparison

Related roles with exposure deltas, salary, demand, and reachability. Lower-exposure options appear only when the data supports them.

30/60/90 plan + PDF

A keepable roadmap plus resume and LinkedIn repositioning.

Grounded in O*NET-linked or curated role data, with Penn, Anthropic Economic Index, and AIOE signals where matched. BLS labor-market context is separate - not generic advice.

See a full sample report →

Adjacent career paths

Relatedness shows how reachable a move may be. A path is labeled lower exposure only when its score is at least 6 points lower; every row shows the measured difference.

Food Scientists and Technologists
80% skills overlap; 6 points lower - lower exposure; Elevated band; ~US$88,720
View path
60
7 more adjacent paths with exposure deltas, salary, demand, and reachability in your Career Report.
Agent Reality Check (on-site workflow preview)

Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.

Check what deployed AI agents can attempt on tasks like this using dated capability evidence. You review the real task before any analysis runs.
Unlock the report to check this task

Your AI-Safe Career Report

Every task scored with what to do about it; adjacent paths with honest exposure deltas, salary, demand, and reachability; a skill-gap map; a 30/60/90-day roadmap; Agent Reality Check; plus a résumé and LinkedIn rewrite and professional PDF.
Grounded in O*NET-linked or curated role data, with Penn, Anthropic Economic Index, and AIOE signals where matched. BLS labor-market context is separate.

AI was the most-cited reason for U.S. layoffs through mid-2026 - the workers who adapt earliest fare best. - Challenger, Gray & Christmas, 2026The upside: Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium - adapting pays. - PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026

Personalize it: paste your résumé & LinkedIn (optional) - your rewrite is included in the report
Used only to generate your report. You can delete it anytime via delete my data.
Optional preference: adds a clearly labeled tradeoff card. It never reorders or relabels the evidence-backed adjacent roles.
14-day money-back guarantee One-time · kept forever · no subscription

Generation starts after checkout; reports are typically ready within a few minutes.

Get ahead: a rising skill on this path is Science. Explore courses →
Some course links are affiliate links - we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Unlock my report - $29
Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

Scan your own job

Food Science Technicians - median pay by US state (BLS OEWS, USD)

Florida: US$58,500New York: US$55,470California: US$54,200Texas: US$47,760

Median annual wage, in USD. US national: US$52,130. More states are being added.

More Science roles

Animal Scientists Food Scientists and Technologists Soil and Plant Scientists Biochemists and Biophysicists Microbiologists Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Browse all industries · Safest jobs from AI