Food Science Technicians
Machines can already do 34% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 69%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Food Science Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 34% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 20% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 69% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 14,600 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $52,130 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 67% for contact with people.
- Also called: Central Laboratory Technician (CLT), Food Science Tech (Food Science Technician), Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients | 26% | 20% to 60% | |
| Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports | 10% | 70% to 95% | |
| Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables | 8% | 60% to 90% | |
| Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies | 5% | 70% to 95% | |
| Monitor and control temperature of products | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills food science technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Cytogenetic Technologists51% of tasks by 2035
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers38% of tasks by 2035 · US median $41,640
- Gem and Diamond Workers60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $52,540
- Cooks, Short Order61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,880
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Food Science Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of food science technicians?
Machines can do 34% of the tasks of food science technicians today and 69% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-4013.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Food Science Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/food-science-technicians/