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SOC 19-4012 · O*NET 19-4012.00
Agricultural and food science technicians turn field, plant, animal or food samples into reviewable test records and results; the core abilities are sampling to protocol, maintaining equipment, controlling quality, and being explicit about the boundaries of interpretation and signature.
Model impact index for three equally weighted representative core tasks; not a measured share of working time or a job-loss probability. floor((0+25+75)/3+0.5)=33; fermatmind-ai-impact-v1; 2026-10-18.
The core of this occupation is not the vague notion of 'doing experiments', but sampling and testing by standard methods, recording raw data truthfully, and interpreting results within the scope of your authority. Fit depends more on observable task behaviour: whether you are willing to repeat operations to method, whether you can verify units and quality control, and whether you can keep records accurate under anomalies and time pressure.
Assessments and exercises serve only as a reference for self-exploration, and cannot predict hiring, competence or future performance.
If you are unwilling to take on repetitive operations and record responsibility, tend to overlook value and unit detail, find field or production-site conditions hard to accept, or are not used to stopping and reporting when the authorisation is unclear, this kind of work may steadily drain you; job design varies considerably across organisations (company laboratories, third-party testing bodies, research institutes, agricultural extension), so first test your performance and tolerance with one complete sampling and testing record exercise.
Agricultural and food science technicians assist scientists with testing and research relating to plants, animals, fibres, food and beverages: sampling and measuring by standard methods, maintaining and calibrating equipment, recording and compiling results, and interpreting data within the scope of their authority. This occupation is not the same as agricultural and food scientists, who are responsible for research design, nor the same as food batchmakers, who are responsible for production operations.
The work of this occupation falls into three categories: sampling and testing execution, data processing and quality records, and equipment and file maintenance.
Career direction comparison
This table compares two kinds of object: two work directions within this occupation, and four clearly adjacent occupations. Each row answers the same set of questions—direction, core work and output, key differences, and what kind of choice it suits.
| Career direction | Core work and output | Key differences | Best-fit choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food testing and quality control (direction within this occupation) | Test food or agricultural product samples by standard methods, perform microbiological, compositional and residue analyses, maintain instruments and record quality-control data; the deliverables are test records, the quality-control ledger and result reports. | The primary responsibility is the traceability of test results and the boundaries of conclusions; before signing, the method, quality control and sample chain must be verified, and final conclusions for others must not be issued. | Suits people who are willing to repeat operations to standard methods, are sensitive to data and record detail, and can hold the line against drawing conclusions beyond their authority. |
AI impact on this career
The agricultural and food directions assist scientists with testing and research. For the food 19-4013 context the responses are 72% making decisions every day, 61% facing strict deadlines every day, 78% considering repetition extremely important, and 56% considering accuracy extremely important. The editors propose exploring record and chart drafts on fictional data; there is still no study of AI adoption, hours saved or displacement in this occupation; the actual method, equipment and authorisation, and production release responsibility, must be checked separately. AI Impact Score 33% is an editorial estimate. Model impact index for three equally weighted representative core tasks; not a measured share of working time or a job-loss probability. floor((0+25+75)/3+0.5)=33; fermatmind-ai-impact-v1; 2026-10-18.The three tasks, ratings and sources are listed in the FermatMind method source record on this page.
FermatMind AI Impact Score estimation method v1
FermatMind / 费马测试 · 2026-10-18
Chinese mainland salary reference
Insufficient evidence: this page obtained no precise wage distribution for this occupation in mainland China; it lists only the NBS2025 broad industry/position-category averages, which are not an individual quote.
Insufficient evidence: this page obtained no precise wage distribution for this occupation in mainland China. NBS2025 industry-category/position-category averages are only a proxy, and it is not claimed that no other materials exist nationwide.
Insufficient evidence: this page obtained no monthly pay or job-posting sample for this occupation in China's first-tier cities; the NBS pre-tax annual industry average cannot be converted into a monthly pay figure for this position, and the survey includes bonuses and allowances and does not cover all employed persons.
Insufficient evidence: no monthly pay data for this occupation in mainland China's second-tier and provincial capital cities was obtained. The official industry-sector annual average wage does not distinguish city tier, job duties or qualification level, cannot be converted into a monthly pay reference, and does not mean that this city tier necessarily has job openings for this position; this page makes no inference.
U.S. pay reference
For the U.S. combined occupation, the median annual wage in 2025 was $51,160 ($24.60/hour, BLS Occupational Outlook 2025 edition). O*NET has retired the combined code 19-4011.00 and split it into Agricultural Technicians (19-4012) and Food Science Technicians (19-4013); OEWS 2025, month 5 (May) publishes percentiles separately for the split occupations: Food Science Technicians median $52,130/year ($25.06/hour), with the 10th/25th/75th/90th percentiles at $39,820/$46,020/$63,270/$78,820; Agricultural Technicians median $49,630/year ($23.86/hour), with the 10th/25th/75th/90th percentiles at $35,980/$40,950/$63,630/$76,480. The combined occupation had 2025 employed 40,400 people, and BLS projects growth of 5% from 2025 to 2035 (a net increase of about 2,100 people), with about 5,900 openings per year over the same period. A median means half of workers are above and half below; it is not an entry-level wage or a fixed monthly salary; openings come mainly from replacement demand created by transfers and exits. Entry to this occupation usually requires an associate degree, some employers accept a high school diploma plus relevant experience, and work is mostly in laboratories, food processing plants, farms and greenhouses.
| Position in the wage statistics | Annual wage reference | Conversion boundaries | How to understand this position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $39,820/year |
Occupation fit guide
Fit is judged by behaviour in sampling to method, measurement, recording and handling anomalies, not by personality or interest screening. The Food 19-4013 education feedback is bachelor's 32%, associate 23% and high school or equivalent 17%, and cannot be applied to all agricultural directions; the BLS combined occupation typically requires an associate degree, and some employers accept high school plus relevant experience. Chinese food testing conditions must be checked separately, and an education qualification does not grant sign-off or release authority.
You may be better suited to： Willing to repeat operations to standard methods, record truthfully, and handle anomalies within the boundaries of authorisation.
These situations call for caution： Caution is needed if you expect only quick results, are unwilling to take on repetitive operations and record-keeping responsibility, or are unwilling to follow method and quality-control requirements.
Do one entry exercise： Use a mock sample to complete one sampling and measurement record and one quality-control and anomaly retest record, and note the steps you are willing to repeat and those you are not.
Work pressure, risks and occupational boundaries
The pressure cues come from methods, units, repetitive operations and record verification. Method, dual review, data permissions, calibration, release and handover are editorial control suggestions, and the material provides no incident rate or reduction magnitude; they must be checked against the applicable rules.
The risk cues come from the O*NET work context (93% have face-to-face discussions every day, 72% make decisions every day, 78% consider repeating the same tasks extremely important, 61% face time pressure every day, and 56% consider precision or accuracy extremely important) and from the common risks compiled by the editors from testing and trial tasks; food testing activities in mainland China are also governed by the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China.
Typical scenario：Testing to a superseded method version or omitting quality-control items, leaving results untraceable.
Roles most affected：A front-line testing position responsible for sampling, measurement and completing records.
Entry, qualifications and career development
Entry requirements are checked by duty and jurisdiction: the typical BLS entry is an associate degree and some high-school-plus-experience paths are accepted; the food ONet32/23/17 are feedback. Food testing in mainland China follows the Food Safety Law as amended in 2025: Article 84 on body accreditation (unless otherwise provided by law), Article 85 on designated inspectors testing independently, Article 86 on the official seal, the inspector's signature or stamp and the responsibility of both parties, and Article 89 on production enterprises testing their own products. Issuing data with statutory evidentiary effect to the public requires checking the accredited business scope separately, and Article 9 of the 2023 assessment criteria covers the competence of personnel and authorised signatories. Institutional qualifications, an individual's method competence, sign-off and production release are checked separately and cannot be applied across the board to all agricultural technology tasks.
Career prospects and moves to related occupations
Insufficient evidence: this page obtained no precise occupational employment projection or job-change success rate for mainland China. The U.S. BLS combined occupation had 2025 employment of 40,400, with growth of 5% over 2025—2035, a net increase of about 2,100 and about 5,900 openings per year including replacement demand, and this cannot be extended to the single food occupation, to a region, or to an individual's hiring.
United States · O*NET food sub-occupation basis (19-4013.00), not the combined occupation
O*NET 19-4013.00 (updated 2026)
Occupational tasks and context
Describes the composition of this occupation's tasks and work context, not employment size.
Does not establish：This basis does not provide headcount or projections, and cannot be used to infer employment demand.
Agricultural and food science technicians sample to plan, prepare equipment, carry out tests, record results, and hand charts or reports to scientists or the quality lead for review.
Technicians are centred on steadily carrying out sampling and trials, and do not automatically take on agricultural engineering design, business decisions or scientific research sign-off responsibility.
Choose a real task from this page for a small practice project or a conversation with someone in the field. Use the planning guides to set a date, an output and feedback questions before deciding whether to continue.
The core of this occupation is not the vague notion of 'doing experiments', but sampling and testing by standard methods, recording raw data truthfully, and interpreting results within the scope of your authority. Judging fit should rely on observable task behaviour and working conditions, not personality labels; the exercises and checklists on this page were designed by the editors from public occupational sources for self-exploration, and do not constitute criteria for hiring, screening or ability assessment.
A stronger signal is: you are willing to repeat operations to standard methods, are sensitive to values and units, can stop to verify and report when data are anomalous or the authorisation is unclear, and keep records traceable. A single mock sampling and testing record exercise with a debrief can test this: whether the method was executed properly, whether values are reproducible, and whether anomalies were closed out.
Sampling and testing execution
Data and quality records
Agricultural and food science technicians assist scientists with testing and research relating to plants, animals, fibres, food and beverages. Agricultural directions may involve crop, animal, tillage and machinery tasks, while food directions may involve sample testing, quality control and formulation-related tasks; both may record, maintain equipment and analyse results. Within their duties they may compare data and produce descriptive reports, and the signature of regulated reports and production release must be separately authorised.
| Dimension | Primary track | Comparison track |
|---|---|---|
| Core purpose | Delivers traceable raw records, quality-control data and equipment status, supporting research and quality judgements. | Sample and test by standard methods and record truthfully |
| Main objects and basis | Make verifiable data judgements based on the method documents, the quality-control range and equipment calibration records. | Method documents, quality-control requirements and equipment status |
| Core process | Sampling and preparation—measurement or testing—quality-control verification—anomaly retest—record organisation—review and archiving. | The complete process from sampling to records and review archiving |
| Main outputs | Traceable raw records, quality-control data, anomaly-handling records and retest recommendations. | Raw records, the quality-control ledger and anomaly records |
| Responsible party | Technicians may execute, record, analyse results and prepare descriptive reports; research requirements, data review, report signature and production release are divided according to the plan and organisational authority, and the occupation name cannot assign review to a quality role across the board. | Technicians, scientists or leads, and quality and safety roles |
| Authority and approval | Within their duties they may analyse results and judge against the standard; release and external signature are approved by the authorised person. | Result determination, release and report signature are decided by the authorised person |
| Boundary of conclusions | Actual method, quality system and authorisation prevail, and cannot be extrapolated to other samples or organisations. | Applies only to specific methods, equipment and sample conditions, and cannot be extrapolated |
Sample, number and prepare samples to the method document, keeping the sample chain consistent with the records.
Complete physicochemical, microbiological or observational tests to standard methods and SOPs, and keep the raw records.
Record values and units, judge against the quality-control range whether to retest; corrections keep the original record, the reason and the traceability.
Clean, check and calibrate equipment, record equipment status and report anomalies.
Maintain test records, the quality-control ledger and compliance documents, ensuring versions and traceability are complete.
Deliver data and deviation explanations to scientists, the quality lead or the production team, and escalate anomalies through the procedure.
Before starting the job, check item by item the specialisation, method and equipment requirements, result determination and signature authority, and safety and qualification requirements.
Confirm whether the position is in field trials, food testing, quality-control records or research and development support.
Check the instrument and software requirements, and whether on-the-job training is needed.
Check the scope of authority for result determination, release and report signature.
Check safety protection, waste disposal and laboratory standards requirements.
| Agricultural trials and field sampling (direction within this occupation) | Lay out plots, sample and observe crops or soil according to the trial plan, maintain field equipment, record agronomic and input information; the deliverables are sampling and observation records and trial data sheets. | The primary responsibility is the reviewability of field and trial data, and sample representativeness and agronomic conditions directly determine the value of the conclusions. | Suits people who are willing to go into the field, can keep to the trial design in sampling and recording, and tolerate seasonal and off-site conditions. |
|---|
| Agricultural and food scientists | Design experiments and field studies, analyse data and interpret results; the deliverables are research reports, papers and technical recommendations. | Scientists compare research design and interpretation; technicians may also analyse, classify and prepare descriptive reports within their duties, and the signature of regulated reports and production release must be separately authorised. | Suits people who prefer research design, data modelling and written argument over daily testing execution. |
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| Biological technicians | Perform molecular and cellular experiments on biological samples in the laboratory, maintain cultures and instruments; the deliverables are experimental records and analysis results. | Biological technicians may work with laboratory or field organisms and with food and other objects; compare the specific sample and method duties, and do not use job titles to rule out overlap. | You can compare whether you would rather run biological sample experiments and observations or the food and agriculture-specific method tasks on this page; the actual direction depends on the employer. |
|---|
| Chemical technicians | Perform compositional and structural analysis of chemical samples, method development and instrument maintenance; the deliverables are analytical data and method records. | Chemical technicians lean towards general chemical analysis; this occupation's analytic objects and judgement basis are tied to food and agricultural product standards. | Suits people who prefer instrumental analysis, method development and chemical metrology over verifying food and pesticide-residue regulations. |
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| Environmental science and protection technicians | Collect environmental samples such as water, soil and air and test for pollutants, and maintain monitoring equipment; the deliverables are monitoring data and reports. | The environmental technician side compares contaminated media and public health monitoring; there is overlap such as food-poisoning investigations, and the specific tasks and determination authority must be checked separately. | Suits people who care about environmental monitoring and ecology, not only agricultural product and food quality. |
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When choosing, look at the outcome you want to be responsible for: testing and quality control of agricultural products and food, field trials and sampling, or research design, laboratory biological systems, general chemical analysis or environmental monitoring. Shared hands-on and recording ability does not erase the differences in standards, jurisdiction and the boundaries of conclusions.
The comparison above describes only the differences in output and responsibility; job design varies considerably across organisations (agricultural research institutes, food companies, third-party testing bodies, seed and agricultural extension), so check the specific employer's job description and qualification requirements before choosing.
Editorial ratings use the existing occupational responsibilities and AI task analysis on this page. They are not adoption rates, measured effects, job-disappearance or personal-unemployment probabilities, or official scores from Stanford or another external institution. No measured time weights or future robot deployment are assumed.
Technical solvability, actual organisational adoption, hours effect and number of positions are different indicators. Registration and first drafts can serve as editorial trials, but any sample value must still be traceable and human-verified, and tool generation cannot prove adoption or that work has become faster.
'Actual organisational adoption' looks at whether the organisation really puts the tool into its processes. Adoption thresholds in testing work include the laboratory quality system and record requirements, equipment and data integrity, the requirements of standard methods, and whether the cost of a wrong determination or falsified data can be measured. Technical availability does not mean it will be adopted.
The BLS combined-occupation growth of 5% is not attributed to AI; task descriptions, organisational adoption, hours and number of positions are different indicators, and cannot be used to infer that tools have already changed the task structure or to derive a substitution date.
| Work area | Task | Current change | Human control point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sampling and sample preparation | Sample and prepare samples by standard methods | Registration and numbering can be assisted | Verify the method, sample chain and scope of authorisation |
| Testing and measurement | Test food or agricultural products for composition, microorganisms and residues | Value entry can be trialled with assistance | Judge whether the data are anomalous and decide whether to retest |
| Equipment maintenance and calibration | Maintain, clean and calibrate laboratory equipment | The ledger and reminders can be assisted | Approve equipment status and calibration results |
| Result analysis and comparison | Analyse results and compare them with standard tables | Charts and statistics can be assisted | Verify whether the conclusion is supported by the data |
| Records and compliance | Record and compile results and maintain compliance documents | Reports and the ledger can be assisted | Judge whether the records meet quality and regulatory requirements |
| Collaboration and capability updating | Assist with research and development, supervision and training new staff | Material organisation can be assisted | Review tool output and record the person responsible for the review |
| Field trials and sampling | Lay out plots, sample and observe crops or soil according to the trial plan | Record organisation can be assisted | Verify the method, sample chain and scope of authorisation |
The evidence cards below explain the source object, conclusion and limitations of each judgement.
Below are the tool exploration directions proposed by the editors based on the specific tasks; no measured efficiency gain for this occupation was obtained.
AI primarily changesTool first drafts can be trialled on fictional sample registration, values and quality-control charts, checking the error rate and the human review hours.
Human responsibility remainsTechnicians may analyse results, judge anomalies against the method and propose retests within their duties; method approval, external signature and production release are each checked against actual qualifications and authority, and are not handled for everyone by AI or by one uniform reviewer.
AI primarily changesYou can trial organising the equipment ledger, calibration reminders and reagent lists, comparing manually with the original records and status.
Human responsibility remainsEquipment status confirmation, calibration result determination and repair release still require human verification and a record.
AI primarily changesYou can trial summarising field data and charts, verifying numbers, units and trial conditions item by item, without any promise of being faster.
Human responsibility remainsWhether the data represent the batch and can support the conclusion is still judged by the technical lead, and cannot be replaced by a tool.
The five steps below set out the order of input, verification, recording and authorisation when using tools in testing and trial work (an editorial synthesis, not a statutory procedure).
Confirm why it is being used, which samples and test data are involved, and whether laboratory and client authorisation has been obtained.
Write down clearly what the tool can do, who receives the output, and which data and authorisation conditions are missing.
Verify the output item by item against the original records, the standard method and the latest quality-control requirements, especially units and decision thresholds.
Keep the data sources, method and equipment versions, and the reasons for changes, to support review and traceability.
Clarify who reviews the data, who approves results and reports, and who is responsible for equipment status and release.
Treating tool-generated values or determinations as confirmed results sends them straight into reports and affects release.
Control: Bind every test value and determination to the original record and the method version; content that cannot be traced must not enter the report.
Samples, test data, and client and formulation information are sensitive information, and an unclear scope for external sharing leads to leaks and disputes.
Control: Collect and check permissions for sample and test information on a minimised basis, specifying clearly which fields may be shared externally.
Inconsistent method, equipment and tool versions make results unverifiable or untraceable.
Control: Use the latest authorised versions of method, equipment and data, and record which version was used.
Recording test values, units or periods incorrectly leads to misjudgement and quality incidents.
Control: Have values, units and periods reviewed by two people, and verify anomalies before using them externally.
When records are missing, it is impossible to say who reviewed and who approved, and responsibility cannot be traced when problems arise.
Control: Record the tool's involvement, the human reviewer and the final approver, and monitor anomalies and client feedback.
Practise with a mock testing task: record the sample chain and quality-control data by standard methods, write out the result and the boundaries of judgement, and mark which conclusions must go back to the method document or the authorised person for confirmation.
Limit the tool to data organisation and report first drafts; all test values, units and determinations keep the original record and are confirmed by the reviewer.
Build an output-review and anomaly-escalation checklist: result determination, release conclusions and equipment status are not decided by a tool, and human review and signature steps must be reserved.
Define the range of data and instrument records available, clarify who reviews and who approves results and reports, and periodically spot-check the consistency of outputs with the original records.
Insufficient evidence: this page obtained no study of AI adoption rates, hours saved, displacement ratios or time of disappearance for this occupation. The BLS combined-occupation employment growth of 5% cannot prove that tools have improved efficiency, nor guarantee that the whole occupation will not be displaced.
Source: BLS Agricultural and Food Science Technicians (2025 data, 2025—2035 projection)Original source ↗
Check programming against the target duties. The food 19-4013 technology page lists Excel14% and Office11% among the 2025 job-posting shares, and also includes SQL Server and SAS; the list cannot prove that every position requires no programming, or that all of them require it.
Source: O*NET 19-4013.00 technology listOriginal source ↗
The editors suggest trialling registration, value organisation, quality-control charts, the report ledger, consumables and field data summaries on fictional data, and comparing errors with human review time; the material provides no task-level impact ranking or measured efficiency gain.
Source: O*NET 19-4013.00 detailed tasks and work activitiesOriginal source ↗
The BLS combined-occupation growth of 5% over 2025—2035 is an aggregate projection; it is not a substitution date, an AI effect or a change in one laboratory's positions, and the average annual 5,900 openings are not a current hiring inventory either.
Source: BLS Agricultural and Food Science Technicians (2025 data, 2025—2035 projection)Original source ↗
You cannot decide this on your own. Result determination, report signature and release are authorisation matters within the quality system and must be completed by people with the corresponding qualifications and authority; working in food testing in mainland China must also meet the testing and record requirements of the relevant food safety regulations, and tool output cannot replace review and signature.
Source: O*NET 19-4013.00 detailed tasks and work activitiesOriginal source ↗
The BLS and ONet material checked for this page gives no year in which the occupation disappears; 2025—2035 is a projection period, not an end date, and task-level change and organisational adoption still have to be verified.
Source: BLS Agricultural and Food Science Technicians (2025 data, 2025—2035 projection)Original source ↗
Three kinds of capability are more verifiable: first, the ability to operate and sample properly to standard methods; second, the ability to verify the units, original records and latest method version of tool output; third, the ability to read quality-control and statistical bases, and to stop and escalate when data are anomalous or the authorisation is unclear.
Source: O*NET 19-4013.00 detailed tasks and work activitiesOriginal source ↗
The tool suggestions are an editorial proposal based on the food and agricultural tasks; there is no study of AI adoption or effect. The food context survey, the food wage and the combined BLS employment apply respectively, and cannot be used to infer mainland China positions or an individual's performance.
Insufficient evidence: no wages by unit type such as agricultural enterprise, food enterprise or testing/research institution were obtained for this occupation. The NBS has broad groupings but no cross-tabulation for this occupation, so it cannot be said that all official statistics do not distinguish unit type.
Insufficient evidence: no sample of public job postings was obtained
| Educational background | Common job directions | Notes and verification advice |
|---|---|---|
| High school or below (including secondary vocational and vocational high school) | Editorial exploration: sampling/experiment support tasks, and the education requirement and authorisation must be checked against the specific announcement; there is no real sample for this education bracket. | Insufficient evidence: no sample of mainland China job-posting quotes was obtained for this education level. |
| Junior college (agricultural technology, food science, etc.) | Editorial exploration: agricultural sampling/food testing and recording tasks; the qualification does not by itself grant independent testing authority. | Insufficient evidence: no sample of mainland China job-posting quotes was obtained for this education level. |
| Bachelor's degree (agronomy, food science, biotechnology, etc.) | Editorial exploration: R&D support/quality control and analysis tasks; whether a bachelor's degree is accepted is checked against the announcement. | Insufficient evidence: no sample of mainland China job-posting quotes was obtained for this education level. |
| Master's degree and above (agronomy, food science, etc.) | Editorial exploration: research support/method documentation direction; a master's degree cannot be used to infer management or method-approval authority. | Insufficient evidence: this page obtained no verifiable mainland China job-posting quotes for this education level, and provides no pay figures. |
No verifiable sample of public mainland China job postings was obtained, so this page does not display specific position or project quotes, and retains only the official statistical basis and qualification rules.
The annual average wage in this industry sector for urban non-private units in 2025 is 74,424 yuan; no by-position demand data for this occupation was obtained.
The annual average wage in this industry sector for urban non-private units in 2025 is 113,594 yuan; no by-position demand data for this occupation was obtained.
Insufficient evidence: no by-industry position demand or precise wage for this occupation in China was obtained; the verified industry averages cannot be substituted for demand or occupational percentiles.
Tools can help explore and organise samples and records, but this is not a measured productivity gain for this occupation. Sampling plans, valid methods, exception handling, authorised sign-off and production release are each checked separately; industry averages do not prove that AI changes an individual's income.
| Official annual wage, not individual monthly income |
| The 10th percentile is $39,820/year ($19.14/hour), meaning about 10% of workers earn below this level; it is not equal to a starting wage and does not represent the offer of any region or employer. |
| Median (50%) | $52,130/year | Official annual wage, not an individual's actual pay | Median $52,130/year ($25.06/hour), with half of workers below and half above; this is the national distribution position on the Food Science Technicians (19-4013) basis, not an individual's actual pay. |
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| Highest 10% | $78,820/year | Official annual wage, not an individual's actual pay | Food 19-4013 90th percentile $78,820/year ($37.89/hour); about 10% are at the upper end. The table does not provide the causes of the difference and promises no income. |
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Pay · 10th percentile：The 10th percentile: $39,820/year ($19.14/hour)；About 10% of workers earn below this level； it is not equal to a starting wage and does not represent the offer of any region or employer.；O*NET OnLine 19-4013.00 national wage percentiles for Food Science Technicians (BLS OEWS 2025, month 5 (May))
Pay · 25th percentile：The 25th percentile: $46,020/year ($22.12/hour)；The lower-quartile position in the distribution, usually below the national median, and needs to be compared together with industry and region.；O*NET OnLine 19-4013.00 national wage percentiles for Food Science Technicians (BLS OEWS 2025, month 5 (May))
Pay · median：Median: $52,130/year ($25.06/hour)；Half of workers earn below and half above this value； this is the national distribution position for Food Science Technicians (19-4013), not an individual's actual pay.；O*NET OnLine 19-4013.00 national wage percentiles for Food Science Technicians (BLS OEWS 2025, month 5 (May))；U.S. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Agricultural and Food Science Technicians (2025 edition)
Pay · 75th percentile：The 75th percentile: $63,270/year ($30.42/hour)；The national upper quartile 63,270 is the wage position for Food 19-4013； the table does not explain the differences caused by experience or unit.；O*NET Food Science Technician wage percentiles
Pay · 90th percentile：The 90th percentile: $78,820/year ($37.89/hour)；About 10% of workers earn above this level, and this cannot be used to promise an individual's income.；O*NET OnLine 19-4013.00 national wage percentiles for Food Science Technicians (BLS OEWS 2025, month 5 (May))
No. The median only indicates the middle position of the distribution, with half of workers below and half above this value, and cannot be treated as a newcomer's starting pay or a fixed monthly salary.
No. The OEWS annual wage and hourly wage come from the same statistical basis; the hourly value is a statistical conversion and does not represent each person's actual paid hours. Actual income also depends on industry, unit type, specialisation and seasonal or overtime arrangements, and an individual's take-home income cannot be derived from national percentiles.
Wages come from the OEWS employee basis for 2025, month 5 (May): the Food 19-4013 and Agricultural 19-4012 percentiles are listed separately and not merged into a single distribution; the BLS employment 40,400/projection 5% is for the combined occupation. Scope and product are checked separately, and an individual's take-home income is not inferred.
The specific income must be checked against the target region, employer, agricultural or food direction, contracted hours and seasonal/overtime arrangements; the national percentiles for the two sub-occupations do not guarantee an individual quote or take-home income.
| Industry | Median wage for this occupation in this industry | How to understand this value |
|---|---|---|
| Food manufacturing (Food Science Technicians) | $50,590/year (industry median in 2025, month 5 (May)) | The BLS OOH Food 19-4013 median in food manufacturing is 50,590, not all manufacturing; the ONet53% here is a different broad-industry employment share. |
| Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (Food Science Technicians) | $63,270/year (industry median in 2025, month 5 (May)) | The BLS OOH Food 19-4013 median in this industry is 63,270; it has the same value as the national 75th percentile, but the measures are different in nature. |
| Professional, scientific and technical services (Food Science Technicians) | $50,610/year (industry median in 2025, month 5 (May)) | The BLS OOH Food 19-4013 median in this industry is 50,610; the ONet other 18% here cannot be treated as this industry's standalone share. |
| All U.S. industries (national basis) | $52,130/year ($25.06/hour, 2025, month 5 (May), Food Science Technicians basis) | This is the national median annual wage on the Food Science Technicians (19-4013) basis, and does not distinguish industry, region, unit type or specialisation. |
Both the national wage percentiles and the employment projection are compiled on a U.S. national basis, and differences across states, metropolitan areas and a single employer are not reflected.
Check the wage structure against the specific employer; the OEWS method includes some regular compensation such as allowances and bonuses, so it cannot be said that all seasonal or project allowances are excluded.
The specialisation, method requirements and institutional qualifications must be checked against actual duties; the material on this page did not measure the effect of an individual's qualifications on pay.
The BLS combined occupation had national employment of 40,400 in 2025； the employment projection and the OEWS employee wage scope differ, and it is not stated that the employment figures all exclude the self-employed.；BLS Agricultural and Food Science Technicians (2025 data, 2025—2035 projection)
The relative change projected for 2025—2035, faster than the average for all occupations.；U.S. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Agricultural and Food Science Technicians (2025 edition)
Average annual openings include replacement demand created by transfers and exits, and are not equal to net new positions.；U.S. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Agricultural and Food Science Technicians (2025 edition)
Which Holland interest type is closer to agricultural and food science technicians?
The RCI for Food 19-4013 applies only to the food direction; Agricultural 19-4012 is RIC (Realistic, Investigative, Conventional). Both describe environmental preferences, and are not a unified label for the combined occupation or a competence/hiring standard. You can separately observe whether you are willing to repeat food measurement recording and field sampling tasks.
Do not use it this way: Treating an interest code as a hiring or ability threshold leads to misjudgement; instead, go back to the actual evidence of sampling, measurement and recording.
Test my Holland vocational interestsWhich Big Five traits are more relevant to this job?
A Big Five self-assessment can prompt reflection on work habits, but this page obtained no research in which scores predict performance in this occupation. It can be discussed against behaviour in recording to method, unit consistency, and stopping and reporting on anomalies, and it is not claimed that conscientiousness or openness has determined performance.
Do not use it this way: Replacing task evidence with scores leads to misjudgement: a low score does not mean someone cannot do the work, and a high score does not guarantee they can sustain repetitive operations and quality pressure over the long term.
View my Big Five personality traitsCan MBTI be used to judge whether I am suited to being an agricultural and food science technician?
MBTI is not a hiring standard. This page did not verify research on types and performance in this occupation; sample records, collaboration and anomaly reporting can be checked in practice, and no competence guarantee is given to introverts or extroverts.
Do not use it this way: Treating an MBTI type as a hiring standard leads to incorrect screening; use operation records, quality-control data and method-version records to judge instead.
Understand my MBTI preferencesCan the Enneagram tell me whether I am suited to this occupation?
The Enneagram describes motivational tendencies, and fit with this occupation can only be verified through tasks. It can help you reflect on how you react to repetitive operations, anomalous results and time pressure, but cannot be used to infer professional ability; verify with a mock test and a debrief record.
Do not use it this way: Treating a type as a necessary requirement for the position leads to misjudgement; motivational tendencies do not determine work outcomes, and test records and quality-control results should be the basis.
Explore my Enneagram patternCan I be an agricultural and food science technician if I am not good at mathematics?
Unit conversion, ratios and quality-control calculations can be practised first; the ONet mathematics knowledge includes arithmetic through calculus and statistics, so it cannot be asserted that the whole occupation needs no advanced mathematics. Specific tasks must be checked against the method and employer, and an intelligence score cannot replace reproducible records.
Do not use it this way: An intelligence score cannot be used to exclude or approve an application; unit conversion is one part of the tasks, and the occupation's ability is not limited to it. The target method and statistical requirements must be checked separately.
Understand my intelligence and reasoning performanceDo agricultural and food science technicians need high emotional intelligence?
Emotional ability helps with long-term repetitive operations and communication about anomalies, but in the form of a self-rating or score it can hardly predict real performance. A more reliable approach is to observe your own actual handling under data anomalies, retest requirements and time pressure: whether you review the cause first, whether you stop and report when authorisation is unclear, and whether you keep records accurate through repetitive steps. These behaviours can be recorded and reviewed with colleagues; an emotional intelligence score is not a threshold.
Do not use it this way: Treating an emotional intelligence score as a hiring threshold causes misjudgement; use anomaly-handling records, review feedback and the quality of debriefs to judge instead.
Understand my emotional intelligence abilitiesFits better when: Prefers research design, data interpretation and written argument.
Watch for: Research design and result interpretation can be compared; whether there are also routine experiments and records must be checked against actual research duties, without asserting that these are generally lesser.
Explore related career: Agricultural and food scientistsFits better when: Prefers laboratory molecular and cell work and culture maintenance.
Watch for: Oriented to biological systems, with a different test target and a different food-regulation check.
Explore related career: Biological techniciansFits better when: Prefers instrumental analysis, method adjustment and chemical metrology.
Watch for: The chemical technology side is compared on the analytical target and method requirements; whether food or pesticide-residue work is involved depends on the position, and is not ruled out for the occupation as a whole.
Explore related career: Chemical techniciansFits better when: Prefers sampling environmental media and pollution monitoring.
Watch for: Focuses on environmental quality, with a different test target and basis of judgement.
Explore related career: Environmental science and protection techniciansFits better when: Prefers compliance inspection of agricultural products and production stages against regulations.
Watch for: Agricultural inspection can be compared on standard compliance and enforcement duties; whether a position uses laboratory data depends on its duties, and is not ruled out by the job title.
Explore related career: Agricultural inspectorsFits better when: Prefers managing production operations, staff and inputs.
Watch for: The business direction is compared on production, budget and staff management; whether it also carries testing duties must be checked against the organisation's authorisation.
Explore related career: Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managersNo personality type is a threshold. The basis for judgement is observable task behaviour: whether you are willing to repeat sampling and measurement to standard methods, record truthfully and keep raw data, and stop and report when anomalies or unclear authorisation arise. You can first run a real test with one mock sampling and test-record exercise, then record your own real feelings after repetitive operations and review. These records can show whether you are willing to repeat this kind of work, but they cannot show whether you can be hired or sustain the role long term.
An introvert label cannot determine fit or competence; use a mock sample record and an anomaly-reporting exercise to check whether you can collaborate proactively and follow method and records, then compare whether you are willing to repeat it, without inferring hiring outcomes.
An extrovert label does not prove communication or work quality. You can slowly verify units and thresholds against a mock quality-control record, note omissions and review feedback, and not infer income or competence from personality.
There is no best-suited type. MBTI describes preferences, not ability or performance; it cannot be used for hiring, screening or ability determination. A more usable approach is to treat the type description as self-questioning: in which situations am I more willing to do repeated measurement, verify records and handle anomalies? Then verify these preferences with one mock test and debrief. A type label can only suggest a direction for discussion.
The RCI for Food 19-4013 applies only to the food direction; Agricultural 19-4012 is RIC (Realistic, Investigative, Conventional). Both describe environmental preferences, and are not a unified label for the combined occupation or a competence/hiring standard. You can separately observe whether you are willing to repeat food measurement recording and field sampling tasks.
Insufficient evidence: this page obtained no validation study in which personality or interest scores predict individual performance in this occupation. Fixed Qinghe sample records, quality control and anomaly stop conditions can be compared to distinguish what you can already reproduce, what needs guidance and what has not been attempted; a small sample does not infer long-term performance.
Check the mathematics requirements against the target method. You can first recalculate the Qinghe moisture mass fraction, parallel difference and mean; the ONet mathematics includes statistics and calculus, so it cannot be stated across the board that advanced mathematics is not involved. One exercise does not prove overall fit.
Observable behaviour and emotional responses are needed, not an emotional intelligence score. Common situations at work include data anomalies requiring a retest, overdue equipment calibration, or being asked to speed up under time pressure. Whether you review the cause first, retest to the procedure, and stop and report when authorisation is unclear says more than a self-rating score. These reactions can be verified with one test exercise or a real project debrief, and reviewed with colleagues; this cannot infer long-term performance or hiring outcomes.
No. The Enneagram describes motivational tendencies, not professional ability; using it to judge fit ignores actual tasks and differences in conditions. A more useful approach is to treat the type description as a cue for reflection: when facing repetitive operations, anomalous results and time pressure, do I tend to persist, change method, or avoid? Then design one recordable verification, such as a two-week sampling and record debrief log. This evidence can support the direction of your next attempt, but cannot give a fit or hiring conclusion.
First choose one direction and produce a set of deliverables: a sampling and measurement record for a mock sample, a quality-control and anomaly retest record, and a unit conversion and concentration calculation; then do the same version in the other direction. Compare the time invested, the number of times you revised the records, and whether you are willing to repeat the process. The deliverables can show the tasks you currently have a grasp of and your preferred direction, but they cannot prove professional competence, nor replace real project experience in the target position.
Possible consequence：An error in method or records leads to misjudgement and quality incidents, and affects batch release.
How to reduce risk：Use approved valid methods and quality control; retain raw records, and corrections must not overwrite the original value but leave the reason, the person making the change and the version, with review.
Evidence：O*NET food 19-4013 tasks and context · O*NET food 19-4013 work context
Typical scenario：The confidentiality obligations of bodies and personnel subject to accreditation assessment in China are set out in Article 8 (four) of the assessment criteria. Editorial check: access, review and distribution permissions for the target records are confirmed under the applicable rules; Articles 84—89 of the Food Safety Law are not used as the basis for trade-secret confidentiality obligations.
Roles most affected：A position with access to samples, formulations and client information.
Possible consequence：Leakage of samples and test data causes client disputes and reputational damage.
How to reduce risk：Collect and check permissions for sample and test information on a minimised basis, specify which fields may be shared externally, and keep approval records.
Evidence：O*NET food 19-4013 tasks and context · Accreditation assessment criteria for inspection and testing bodies (2023)
Typical scenario：Multiple record versions exist for the same batch of samples, and an old version is used by mistake during review.
Roles most affected：A position that must maintain test records and files.
Possible consequence：Confused records or versions cause review and traceability to fail.
How to reduce risk：Register raw records, method and equipment versions in one place, and any change must leave a trace and be traceable.
Evidence：Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China (2025 amendment) · O*NET food 19-4013 work context
Typical scenario：Using the results of an instrument whose calibration is overdue or whose status is unclear, and judging on them.
Roles most affected：A position that judges equipment status and result release.
Possible consequence：Issuing results when calibration is overdue or the status is unclear brings quality and compliance liability.
How to reduce risk：Equipment status, calibration and repair follow the authorisation chain, and result release must be completed by a person with the authority.
Evidence：Accreditation assessment criteria for inspection and testing bodies (2023) · O*NET food 19-4013 tasks and context
Typical scenario：When the sole operator is on leave or leaves, no one follows up equipment status or samples in progress.
Roles most affected：A position independently responsible for a single method or a single project.
Possible consequence：No one takes over a critical method, testing is interrupted and data delivery is delayed.
How to reduce risk：Set up backup personnel and shared records for critical methods, and complete a full handover before leave or transfer.
Evidence：BLS Agricultural and Food Science Technicians (2025 data, 2025—2035 projection) · O*NET food 19-4013 work context
Typical scenario：When testing and review are done by the same person with no review record left.
Roles most affected：A position that both performs testing and reviews it.
Possible consequence：An unclear boundary between input and review leads to wrong conclusions and difficult attribution of responsibility.
How to reduce risk：Clarify the division of responsibility for sampling, testing, review and release, and escalate anomalies promptly to the person in charge or the quality department.
Evidence：O*NET food 19-4013 tasks and context · Accreditation assessment criteria for inspection and testing bodies (2023)
| Entry-level positions | What you mainly do in the early days on the job | What employers usually look at | How to prove yourself without experience | How it differs from other directions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural technician assistant | Collects crop, soil or water samples according to the trial plan, registers the samples, and records farming and input information. | Editorial check suggestion: verify whether sampling is standardised, records are complete, and the plan can be followed. | Submit a mock field sampling plan and sample registration form, noting the numbering rules. | Leans towards field and outdoor work, and usually is not responsible for laboratory instrument release or result determination. |
| Laboratory testing assistant | Prepares samples to standard methods, performs routine measurements, and enters and organises data. | Editorial check suggestion: verify whether work follows the SOP and whether values and units are accurate. | Use public or self-made data to produce a sample registration and measurement record example. | Leans towards laboratory testing execution, without independently determining results or issuing reports. |
| Quality control and record support | Organises test records, maintains ledgers and compliance documents, and follows up equipment calibration reminders. | Editorial check suggestion: verify record standards, version management and verification habits. | Submit a mock quality-control ledger and equipment calibration record template. | Mainly records and compliance, without responsibility for method development or conclusion determination. |
| Food production site testing | Samples on the production line and monitors temperature, moisture or sensory indicators, recording and reporting anomalies. | Editorial check suggestion: verify on-site execution, anomaly reporting and safety rules. | Use mock production-line data to produce a process-monitoring and anomaly-reporting record. | Leans towards production-site process control, with a different test target from laboratory research and development. |
| R&D support | Prepares reagents and samples to the research plan, performs repeat measurements, and organises the data for analysis. | Editorial check suggestion: verify experiment preparation, stability in repeated operations and data-organisation ability. | Submit a mock trial preparation checklist and repeat-measurement data table. | Mainly supports research, with conclusions drawn by scientists or the person in charge. |
U.S. food 19-4013 education feedback: 32% bachelor's, 23% associate/two-year, 17% high school or equivalent; Zone3 is a preparation category. The BLS combined agricultural and food occupation typically requires an associate degree, and employer conditions must be checked separately.
Recruitment requirements vary by employer; an education qualification only indicates the level of preparation, and does not represent the ability to carry out testing or record-keeping responsibility.
Typical U.S. education and employer requirements must be checked separately; the ONet certification directory is only an entry point for discovery, and this page does not use the directory to claim that a licence is uniformly required or absent across the United States.
Food testing in mainland China follows the Food Safety Law as amended in 2025: Article 84 on body accreditation (unless otherwise provided by law), Article 85 on designated inspectors testing independently, Article 86 on the official seal, the inspector's signature or stamp and the responsibility of both parties, and Article 89 on production enterprises testing their own products. Issuing data with statutory evidentiary effect to the public requires checking the accredited business scope separately, and Article 9 of the 2023 assessment criteria covers the competence of personnel and authorised signatories. Institutional qualifications, an individual's method competence, sign-off and production release are checked separately and cannot be applied across the board to all agricultural technology tasks.
U.S. food 19-4013 work context feedback: 93% face-to-face contact every day, 79% email every day, 74% continuous contact, 72% decisions every day, and 78% consider repetitive tasks extremely important, not all agricultural directions.
Food 19-4013 feedback: 61% face urgent deadlines every day, and 56% consider accuracy extremely important while 43% consider it very important; the feedback describes working conditions, not a Chinese position or a hiring threshold.
Fixed Qinghe QH-V1 and samples A/B/C are given; moisture, impurities and status are checked only on paper, with no real operation.
Fixed fictional Qinghe grain case, paper calculation only, not an official standard or real sampling. Method QH-V1: pre-mixed retained samples A/B/C, numbered QH-A/B/C; each sample is measured twice for moisture and impurities, recording the percentages and the raw values. Moisture = (total mass before drying − total mass after drying) ÷ (total mass before drying − empty dish mass) × 100%. For sample A, portion 1: empty dish 10.00g, before 20.00g, after 18.70g; the remaining percentages are given. The mean may be taken only when the absolute parallel difference in moisture is ≤0.30 percentage points; the example limits are moisture ≤14.00% and mean impurity ≤1.00%. A moisture 13.00/13.20, impurity 0.60/0.80%; B moisture 14.50/14.90, impurity 0.70/0.90%; C moisture 13.60/13.80, impurity 1.20/1.40%. Quality-control reference moisture 12.00±0.20%, measured 12.10%; impurity blank ≤0.10%, measured 0.00%. Test date 2026-10-02, moisture meter M1 calibration valid until 09-30, impurity weighing device B1 until 10-31; no subsequent calibration, retest or approval records. The assistant may only organise and report, and must not sign reports or release; the samples' representativeness for the whole batch is unverified.
Submit a numbering/method/equipment status table, recalculate moisture, the parallel difference, the mean and quality control, list stop conditions and missing records, and do not write a whole-batch release.
Following QH-V1, set out the hypothetical sample numbering and parallel record flow, and recalculate the mass fraction for A and the differences, means and quality control for A/B/C.
Distinguish arithmetic comparison values, usable results and items awaiting authorisation; explain how overdue calibration, the B parallel out-of-tolerance result and the C impurity above threshold are reported.
For the target position, set out education, specialisation, method and instrument experience, and whether there is authority to determine independently or sign, noting the source and the verification date.
Different types of unit (enterprise laboratory, third-party testing body, research institution, agricultural technology extension) vary considerably; this table records only verified items and items still to be confirmed.
For each test record, list self-check items: sample chain and numbering, method and version, units and conversion, whether quality control is within range, and whether anomalies have been reviewed.
The review checklist is for self-check and peer review, and does not replace the organisation's review and report sign-off process.
Fictional deliverable: A 13.10%, B out of tolerance (14.70 arithmetic only), C 13.70%; impurity 0.70/0.80/1.30. With M1 overdue, all moisture results are suspended; B awaits verification of the out-of-tolerance result and the C impurity exceeds the example; there is no completed retest, sign-off or whole-batch release.
Retain QH-V1, the raw values of A/B/C and the g/% units, and the M1/B1 deadlines; set out the calculation formula, the absence of subsequent calibration, retest or approval records and the representativeness gap, and do not modify the raw values.
| Screening or trial stage | Tasks that may be checked | Observable or submittable evidence | Conclusions that cannot be inferred from this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material screening | Check relevant testing, sampling or laboratory experience, and whether recording and verification habits are consistent with the job duties. | Whether the submittable material is complete, verifiable and mutually consistent. | A single round of material screening cannot determine actual testing operation or result-determination ability. |
| Case and scenario questions | Given a fictional testing case, probe the sampling method, quality-control setup, anomaly handling and the boundary of determination. |
Following Qinghe QH-V1 and QH-A/B/C, list all raw values, thresholds, equipment deadlines and the assistant's authority.
Recalculate the mass fraction for A as 13.00%, verify the g/% units, and list a parallel difference ≤0.30 and moisture ≤14.00.
Build duplicate records for A/B/C, retain the raw moisture/impurity values and the M1/B1 status, and do not create additional tests.
Calculate the moisture differences 0.20/0.40/0.20; the means A13.10/C13.70, with B14.70 for arithmetic comparison only.
Calculate the impurity means 0.70/0.80/1.30 and the reference 12.10/blank 0.00; passing quality control does not restore the M1 calibration deadline.
| Qualification / status | Who it mainly suits | Practical effect in job seeking | Whether it is a general entry threshold | Application / registration requirements | Level of investment | Important limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No relevant experience | Applicants who have not yet worked in testing, sampling or laboratory work and want to understand the prerequisites for entering the field. | First check what preparation real positions accept; the typical BLS related experience is None; having no experience does not automatically exclude all applicants. | Typical education or training is not a threshold for every position, and no precise Chinese job posting has been obtained. |
Typical scope：Samples under guidance, prepares samples and completes routine measurements to the SOP, recording truthfully.
Readiness evidence：One sample registration and measurement record example.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: add food science coursework and basic testing practice; check the actual education requirement against the position.
Next moves：Independently takes on routine testing and quality-control items.
Typical scope：Completes routine testing and repeat measurements independently, judges retests under the quality-control rules and organises the records.
Readiness evidence：Testing records, quality-control ledgers and anomaly-handling records.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: build up relevant method training, routine testing and anomaly records; this is not a unified education threshold.
Next moves：Takes on more complex methods or new-project verification.
Typical scope：Responsible for method versions, equipment status and the boundaries of result determination, and reviews other people's records.
Readiness evidence：Method verification records, equipment maintenance and review ledgers.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: build up evidence of independent testing, method verification and review; this is not a statistic on years to promotion.
Next moves：Moves towards a laboratory lead or quality-system direction.
Typical scope：Responsible for the testing plan, the quality system, the boundaries of result release and staff development.
Readiness evidence：Quality system documents, audit records and development records.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: add experience of quality systems, staff development and authorisation boundaries; the actual appointment requirements must be checked separately.
Next moves：Moves towards integrated technical management as the organisation requires.
Typical scope：Sets out plots to the trial plan, collects crop or soil samples, and registers farming and input information.
Readiness evidence：One sampling plan and sample registration form.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: add agronomy, sampling and trial-record coursework; check the actual education requirement against the position.
Next moves：Independently carries out sampling and observation for one type of trial.
Typical scope：Independently carries out sampling, observation and equipment maintenance for field trials, and organises the trial data.
Readiness evidence：Sampling and observation records, and trial data tables.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: build up field sampling, observation and equipment maintenance records; this is not a unified education threshold.
Next moves：Takes on trial design and data quality control.
Typical scope：Responsible for trial design, sample representativeness and data reviewability, and coaches sampling staff.
Trial plans, data quality reports and coaching records.
Typical scope：Samples at the production site and monitors temperature, moisture or sensory indicators, recording and reporting anomalies.
Readiness evidence：One process-monitoring and anomaly-reporting record.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: add production testing, hygiene and safety training; check the actual education requirement against the position.
Next moves：Independently takes on one type of process-monitoring test.
Typical scope：Completes routine testing on the production line or in the laboratory independently, and maintains records and compliance documents.
Readiness evidence：Testing records, compliance ledgers and equipment records.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: add testing-method, quality-control and document-maintenance experience; this is not a unified education threshold.
Next moves：Takes on method improvement or R&D support tasks.
Typical scope：Prepares reagents and samples to the research plan, performs repeat measurements, and organises the data for analysis.
Trial preparation checklists, repeat-measurement data and analysis records.
Able to sample safely under guidance, operate equipment to the SOP, record truthfully and report deviations promptly.
Able to complete routine testing and repeat measurements independently, judge whether a retest is needed under the quality-control rules, and organise traceable records.
Able to coach colleagues, review other people's records and method versions, and handle anomalies and equipment calibration issues.
Able to take responsibility for the testing plan, the quality system and the boundaries of result determination, and to manage and develop staff.
United States · BLS combined occupation basis (agricultural and food science technicians)
Growth of 5%; a net increase of about 2,100 people; about 5,900 openings per year
Employment change
Answers the net change and replacement demand over the projection period.
Does not establish：A projection is not a certain outcome, and does not explain opportunities for a specific organisation or individual.
Mainland China · Broad industry-sector proxy, not this occupation
Agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery 74,424 yuan/year
Industry-sector wages
Only indicates the wage level of industries in which this occupation may be distributed.
Does not establish：The NBS survey covers the industry wages of urban legal-entity units, not all employed persons, and cannot be broken down to this occupation's positions.
These are capability relationships, not automatic promotions or credential waivers.
Transfers：Hands-on operation and data recording ability
Build next：Research design and data interpretation training
View career profileTransfers：Laboratory operation and recording ability
Build next：Laboratory molecular and cell work training
View career profileTransfers：Instrument operation and data analysis ability
Build next：Instrumental analysis and chemical metrology training
View career profileTransfers：Sampling and testing ability
Build next：Environmental sampling and pollution monitoring training
View career profileTransfers：Standards comprehension and recording ability
Build next：Regulation and compliance inspection training
View career profileTransfers：Quality control and data verification ability
Build next：Quality system and statistical process control training
View career profileTransfers：Food and ingredient knowledge
Build next：Food production and formulation operation training
View career profileTransfers：Agriculture and input knowledge
Build next：Production operations and people management training
View career profileThe more decisive fit signal is whether you can record details to plan, spot anomalies and take the initiative to review, rather than any personality type.
AI can assist with organising records and drafting reports, but sample conditions, equipment status, anomaly retests and raw records still require human review.
Insufficient evidence: this page obtained no precise wage for this occupation in China; the NBS2025 agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery 74,424 and manufacturing 113,594 yuan/year are non-private industry averages, not an occupational median or an individual quote.
U.S. official figures report the 2025 median wages of the two sub-occupations separately: agricultural technicians $49,630/year, food science technicians $52,130/year; a median is not an entry-level wage.
Entry requirements vary by employer: some positions require or prefer a relevant associate or bachelor's degree, while others accept a high school diploma plus relevant experience.
The main risks come from chemical exposure, a broken sample chain, inapplicable methods and out-of-calibration equipment; control depends on SOPs, quality control, records and a clear escalation chain.
Work locations switch between laboratories, food processing plants, farms and ranches, greenhouses and offices, and the work is mainly hands-on operation, repeat measurement and recording, with collaboration with technicians and scientists; most work is full time, and some positions require more than 40 hours and are affected by seasons and production rhythms.
Within their duties they may analyse results, compare them with standard tables and prepare descriptive reports; regulated reports require checking the body's or inspector's duties and signature authority, and production release is checked separately. Food testing in mainland China follows the Food Safety Law as amended in 2025: Article 84 on body accreditation (unless otherwise provided by law), Article 85 on designated inspectors testing independently, Article 86 on the official seal, the inspector's signature or stamp and the responsibility of both parties, and Article 89 on production enterprises testing their own products. Issuing data with statutory evidentiary effect to the public requires checking the accredited business scope separately, and Article 9 of the 2023 assessment criteria covers the competence of personnel and authorised signatories. Institutional qualifications, an individual's method competence, sign-off and production release are checked separately and cannot be applied across the board to all agricultural technology tasks.
FermatMind careers content editorial team (compiled from public sources including O*NET, BLS and the National Bureau of Statistics)
2026-10-08 (nine-section revision limited to this round)
Occupational tasks and work context: O*NET OnLine 19-4013.00; employment and wages: BLS Occupational Outlook 2025 edition (2025—2035 projection) and OEWS 2025, month 5 (May); China wage basis: National Bureau of Statistics 2025 annual average wage of employed persons in urban units; mainland China food testing requirements: Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China.
Limitations：Applies to the split 19-4013.00; the combined code 19-4011.00 has been retired and cannot be used to infer mainland China occupational mapping or qualification requirements.
Limitations：Combined-occupation national basis; it contains no mainland China data and provides no individual wage quote.
Limitations：Task and work activity descriptions are used to understand the boundaries of duties, not as wage or demand statistics.
Limitations：OEWS does not cover the self-employed; a percentile is a statistical position, not an individual's take-home income or a starting-pay promise.
Limitations：Broad-basis annual average wages by industry sector and position category, not the wage distribution of this single occupation, city or unit type.
Limitations：Only gives the industry employment share, without industry wages; it cannot be used to infer China's industry structure.
Limitations：The certification list is an entry point for discovering related U.S. qualifications, and does not constitute a requirement for practising in China.
Limitations：The training list is an entry point for discovering local U.S. training, and does not represent a uniform employer requirement.
Limitations：Mention shares only describe how often something appears in job-posting text, and are not a skill threshold.
Limitations：The custom profile is used to query task, ability and context dimensions in combination, and is not a single authoritative conclusion.
Limitations：Used to explain the composition of the total wage bill and the before-tax basis; it provides no occupational wage figures.
Limitations：Used to explain the basic requirements for labour contracts and for working-hour and remuneration terms; it does not cover other jurisdictions and does not replace organisational rules.
Limitations：Applies to food production, business and testing activities in mainland China; it does not cover other jurisdictions and does not replace specific standards or organisational procedures.
Limitations：The statistical method provides no industry wage figures; occupational percentiles are verified against the current ONet2025 national wage table.
Limitations：Serves as a comparison basis for the agricultural technician direction; it is used alongside the food science technicians basis and cannot be merged into a single distribution.
Limitations：Applies to the split 19-4012.00; it is used for comparison with the food science technicians direction and does not represent a single statistic for the combined occupation.
Limitations：Work context dimensions are used to understand working conditions, not as risk ratios or health diagnoses.
Limitations：An interest code is used to describe preferences for an occupational environment, not as an ability threshold or hiring standard.
Limitations：Body qualification accreditation is not a universal personal licence for every technician; the statutory matters and the body's business scope must be checked separately.
Limitations：This section describes the U.S. entry pathway and does not constitute an education or qualification requirement in China.
Limitations：This section describes workplaces and working hours, and is a description of the U.S. work context.
Limitations：This section gives the median annual wage for the combined occupation and the two split occupations; it does not distinguish region, industry or employer.
Limitations：This section is a national aggregate projection and cannot be used to infer an individual's probability of unemployment or regional demand.
Limitations：Used for technical assessment of body qualification accreditation within China; a learning record does not automatically grant signature authority, body accreditation or food production release authority.
Limitations：Only gives the industry employment share for the agricultural technician direction, without industry wages; it is used for comparison with the food science technicians direction.
Limitations：Only gives the industry employment share, without industry wages; it cannot be used to infer China's industry structure.
Limitations：Pay gives the median for the combined occupation and the two sub-occupations, and lists the wages of each sub-occupation in some major industries; it does not provide quotes for all regions, industries or employers.
Limitations：Used for technical assessment of body qualification accreditation within China; a learning record does not automatically grant signature authority, body accreditation or food production release authority.
The U.S. data on this page are on a national basis (wage percentiles for 19-4013 and the combined-occupation employment projection), and the China wage is a broad industry-sector proxy; neither can be converted into an individual's take-home income, and they cannot be extrapolated to each other; U.S. income excludes the self-employed, and Chinese statistics exclude self-employed individuals and freelancers.
Big Five personality (Chinese) · MBTI (Chinese) · Enneagram (Chinese) · Intelligence and reasoning (Chinese)
Check shift patterns, on-site hours and seasonal work arrangements.
Check on-the-job training, mentoring arrangements and how performance is assessed.
The Food 19-4013 technology page lists 11 items: Excel14%, Office11%, Word/Outlook 7% each and PowerPoint6%; 2025 U.S. de-duplicated job-posting text mentions it, and no share is published for the other 6 items.
The shares indicate that office and data tools appear relatively often in job-posting text; the appearance of a tool only indicates a category, and does not mean the position requires mastery of all of them, nor is it a hiring threshold.
A portion 1 moisture (20.00−18.70)÷(20.00−10.00)×100%=13.00%. A parallel difference 0.20, mean 13.10%; B difference 0.40>0.30 so the mean must not be used for a determination (14.70% is only an arithmetic comparison); C difference 0.20, mean 13.70%. Impurity means A/B/C 0.70/0.80/1.30%, with the C value exceeding the example 1.00%; quality control 12.10 is within 11.80—12.20, and the blank 0.00≤0.10.
But M1 was already past the 09-30 calibration deadline on 10-02, and a value passing quality control still cannot restore a valid status; all moisture results are suspended from use and determination, the raw values are retained and reported, and authorised personnel handle the equipment and the retest, with the cause of the B parallel out-of-tolerance result still to be checked. No calibration or retest result was given, so it is not written that calibration has been supplemented or that the retest passed. The C impurity exceeding the example threshold is only a lead for this retained sample and does not infer that the whole batch of food is unsafe; representativeness, applicability of the real method and approval are unconfirmed, and the assistant has no authority to sign reports or release.
But M1 was already past the 09-30 calibration deadline on 10-02, and a value passing quality control still cannot restore a valid status; all moisture results are suspended from use and determination, the raw values are retained and reported, and authorised personnel handle the equipment and the retest, with the cause of the B parallel out-of-tolerance result still to be checked. No calibration or retest result was given, so it is not written that calibration has been supplemented or that the retest passed. The C impurity exceeding the example threshold is only a lead for this retained sample and does not infer that the whole batch of food is unsafe; representativeness, applicability of the real method and approval are unconfirmed, and the assistant has no authority to sign reports or release.
| Scenario questions cannot replace real instrument operation and the review pressure of a quality system. |
| Record and file review | For one fictional test record, explain the method version, unit conversion, anomaly handling and the boundary of signature authority. | Whether confirmed data are distinguished from inference, and whether the source of the uncertainty is stated. | A single review cannot infer the qualification to sign reports independently or to release conclusions. |
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| Trial period | Observe sampling, instrument operation, record completion and how debrief corrections are implemented. | Whether the records can be reviewed, and whether the feedback is implemented in the next task. | A short trial period cannot infer long-term retention, method development or release authority. |
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State that M1 is overdue so results are suspended, that the B out-of-tolerance result awaits checking and that the C impurity exceeds the example; there are no subsequent records, so it is not written that a retest has been done or that the whole batch is released.
Revise records and calculations according to the review, keeping the reason for each change; check whether you are willing to repeat recording and anomaly reporting, without treating this as a competence certification.
| Medium: time is needed to complete coursework and presentable records. |
| Without records and practice, it is hard to demonstrate sampling, measurement and recording ability. |
| Associate degree | Applicants who want to meet the mainstream entry education requirement for this occupation. | Meets the typical entry education given in the BLS Occupational Outlook, and is also a significant share in the O*NET survey. | The BLS Occupational Outlook shows that this occupation usually requires an associate degree; the O*NET survey shows 23% reporting an associate degree, 32% a bachelor's degree and 17% high school or equivalent. | Complete a two-year programme in biology, chemistry, agronomy or a related field to the institution's requirements. | Medium: includes the time spent in a two-year programme and tuition costs. | An academic qualification by itself does not guarantee instrument operation or result-determination ability, and still needs practical records to support it. |
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| Bachelor's degree | Applicants checking a bachelor's degree against the target method or position requirements. | For Food 19-4013, the bachelor's feedback is the highest at 32% but is not over half; this is not evidence of a hiring benefit in research and development. | Some employers prefer a bachelor's degree; the specific position must be checked separately, without claiming that it is generally more common in research and development roles. | Complete a relevant degree programme to the institution's requirements, and build up laboratory and project experience as far as possible. | Medium to high: includes the time spent in education and tuition costs. | An academic qualification is not equal to method development or report sign-off authority. |
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| Method and instrument training record | People already in a job who need to master a specific testing method. | Training records serve to verify method and instrument training experience; whether the person has actual ability is assessed separately. | Check against the specific employer and method requirements, and do not infer requirements for all positions from a directory. | Check the training provider, the method or equipment version and the scope of the assessment, without stating that all of it must be refreshed periodically on the job. | Medium: mainly on-the-job training and assessment. | A training record only proves a learning experience, and grants no result-determination or report sign-off authority. |
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| Chinese food testing body accreditation, inspector responsibility and report authorisation | Bodies and personnel engaged in food testing in mainland China. | Body accreditation and personnel conditions are checked separately; it is not a single universal personal licence. | The Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China sets out requirements for food testing body qualifications and for inspectors being independently responsible. | Food testing in mainland China follows the Food Safety Law as amended in 2025: Article 84 on body accreditation (unless otherwise provided by law), Article 85 on designated inspectors testing independently, Article 86 on the official seal, the inspector's signature or stamp and the responsibility of both parties, and Article 89 on production enterprises testing their own products. Issuing data with statutory evidentiary effect to the public requires checking the accredited business scope separately, and Article 9 of the 2023 assessment criteria covers the competence of personnel and authorised signatories. Institutional qualifications, an individual's method competence, sign-off and production release are checked separately and cannot be applied across the board to all agricultural technology tasks. | Medium to high: involves body accreditation and personnel conditions. | This requirement applies only to food testing activities in mainland China, and is not equal to a practising qualification in other jurisdictions. |
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| Independent determination and signature experience | People who already have stable testing experience and intend to take on review responsibility. | Submit actual review or sign-off responsibilities and records for verification; promotion depends on the position. | Senior requirements follow real job postings, without claiming a measured frequency across most positions. | Seek review, anomaly-determination and report-routing opportunities in your current position, and keep records. | Medium: mainly job opportunities and accumulated experience. | Without review and sign-off records, a job title cannot replace actual authority. |
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The example uses only fixed fictional material and calculations, with no actual operation of equipment, sampling, heating or use of reagents, and does not constitute a real result or release.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: build up evidence of field trials, data review and coaching; this is not a statistic on years to promotion.
Next moves：Moves towards a trial lead or research support direction.
Typical scope：Responsible for trial objectives, data quality and the boundaries of conclusion support, and coordinates research and production.
Readiness evidence：Trial objectives, data audit and coordination records.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: add trial coordination and team management experience; check appointment requirements against the target organisation.
Next moves：Moves towards research or integrated management as the organisation requires.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: add research support coursework, and repeat measurement and analysis records; this is not a unified bachelor's-degree threshold.
Next moves：Moves towards method development or a quality-system direction.
Typical scope：Responsible for R&D support, method development and quality boundaries, and manages staff and development.
Readiness evidence：R&D plans, method documents and development records.
Credential boundary：Editorial preparation suggestion: build up evidence of R&D support, quality management and coaching; this is not a statistic on years to promotion.
Next moves：Moves towards integrated technical management as the organisation requires.
Limitations：Editorial ratings use the existing occupational responsibilities and AI task analysis on this page. They are not adoption rates, measured effects, job-disappearance or personal-unemployment probabilities, or official scores from Stanford or another external institution. No measured time weights or future robot deployment are assumed.
