Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Science and research / 19-4013.00

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

US jobs
14,600
Median wage
$52,130 a year
Job family
Science and research

Can agents do the work of food science technicians?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Science and research: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)

Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.

Evidence: CORE-Bench, declared solved.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 15%Analyze biological or chemical substances or related dataNot measured
  • 15%Maintain operational recordsNot measured
  • 13%Test characteristics of materials or productsNot measured
  • 9%Prepare specimens or materials for testingNot measured
  • 8%Evaluate production inputs or outputsNot measured
  • 7%Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipmentNot measured
  • 7%Train others on operational or work proceduresNot measured
  • 6%Research technology designs or applicationsNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in science and research, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

  • CORE-Benchby Princeton UniversityTask level · CORE-Bench-Hard accuracy (public test set)
    95.5%Claude Code + Claude Opus 4.5 (after manual regrading) · 3 Dec 2025
    Solved

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
  • Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
  • Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
  • Monitor and control temperature of products.
  • Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
  • Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
  • Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
  • Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.
  • Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
  • Train newly hired laboratory personnel.
  • Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
  • Supervise other food science technicians.
Other job titles for this occupation (45)

Central Laboratory Technician (CLT) · Food Science Tech (Food Science Technician) · Laboratory Assistant (Lab Assistant) · Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech) · QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Lab Technician) · QC Tech (Quality Assurance Technician) · QC Tech (Quality Control Technician) · Quality Analyst · Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst) · Quality Tech (Quality Technician) · Beer Brewer · Biotechnician · Bottle House QC Technician (Bottle House Quality Control Technician) · Butter Fat Tester · Cheese Tester · Cream Tester · Dairy and Food Laboratory Assistant (Dairy and Food Lab Assist) · Dairy Laboratory Technician (Dairy Lab Tech) · Dairy Technician (Dairy Tech) · Dairy Technologist · Dairy Tester · Data Control Assistant · Fermentologist · Flavor Technician (Flavor Tech) · Food Analyst · Food Products Tester · Food QC Technician (Food Quality Control Technician) · Food Quality Technician (Food Quality Tech) · Food Safety QA Tech (Food Safety Quality Assurance Technician) · Food Safety Technician (Food Safety Tech) · Food Taster · Food Technician (Food Tech) · Food Tester · Fruit Tester · Juice Standardizer · Juice Tester · Malt Specifications Control Assistant · Milk Tester · Research Technician (Research Tech) · Seed Analyst · Sensory Scientist · Sugarcane Research Technician (Sugarcane Research Tech) · Taste Tester · Test Baker · Yeast Culture Developer