Food Science Technicians
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 136 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 44% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
AI could do much of this on its own
Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
AI could do much of this on its own
Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
AI could do much of this on its own
Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Monitor and control temperature of products.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Prepare or incubate slides with cell cultures.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Chemists
Very similar work+63% pay355 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 63% more—$93,136 vs your $57,023 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Chemistry
- Reading Comprehension
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Science
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Category Flexibility
- Administration and Management
Chemical Technicians
Very similar work+10% pay355 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 10% more—$62,603 vs your $57,023 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Chemistry
- Oral Expression
- Reading Comprehension
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Science
- Multilimb Coordination
- Operations Analysis
- Equipment Selection
- Critical Thinking
Biological Technicians
Very similar work+10% pay636 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 10% more—$62,920 vs your $57,023 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Reading Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
New skills to build
- Biology
- Information Ordering
Food Scientists and Technologists
Very similar work+70% pay60 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 70% more—$96,701 vs your $57,023 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Production and Processing
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Chemistry
- Reading Comprehension
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Originality
- Systems Analysis
- Problem Sensitivity
- Systems Evaluation
Microbiologists
Very similar work+46% pay100 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 46% more—$83,363 vs your $57,023 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Chemistry
- Reading Comprehension
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Biology
- Science
- Category Flexibility
- Problem Sensitivity
- Education and Training
Industrial Production Managers
Similar work+133% pay457 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 133% more—$132,662 vs your $57,023 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Production and Processing
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Expression
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Public Safety and Security
Plant and System Operators, All Other
Similar work+34% pay38 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 34% more—$76,408 vs your $57,023 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Operation and Control
- Multilimb Coordination
- Extent Flexibility
- Equipment Maintenance
Agricultural Inspectors
Similar work+33% pay61 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 33% more—$75,922 vs your $57,023 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
New skills to build
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Quality Control Analysis
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Somewhat similar work+27% pay264 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 27% more—$72,261 vs your $57,023 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Chemistry
- Reading Comprehension
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Design
- Physics
- Systems Analysis
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Somewhat similar workabout the same pay272 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about the same—$57,270 vs your $57,023 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Production and Processing
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Static Strength
- Extent Flexibility
- Mechanical
- Reaction Time
- Multilimb Coordination