Oregon Labor Market Information System
Occupational Information Center
Occupational Report for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians (19-4011) , Oregon Statewide
Occupational Description

Work with agricultural scientists in food, fiber, and animal research, production, and processing; assist with animal breeding and nutrition work; under supervision, conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects. Include technicians who assist food scientists or food technologists in the research, development, production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

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Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
Employment Outlook for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
Statewide Employment Analysis 2008 employment is estimated to be somewhat smaller than the regional average. This occupation is expected to grow at at about the regional average rate. Total job openings are projected to be at about the regional average.

Limited employment opportunities exist for trained workers.

Data Sources and Limitations
Current Employment Department Job Openings for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians There are 5 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 5 are listed below.
Job Title Date Posted Location Wage Offered
Research Assistant 1 8/21/10 Portland
Laboratory Assistant 8/26/10 Portland
QA Lab Assistant 8/25/10 Albany $8.75/hr
Agricultural Worker 8/30/10 Ontario $10.71/hr
Laborer 8/30/10 Ontario $11.42/hr
Job Openings from the Web for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians The following job openings have been automatically extracted from various sites across the Web. These links are provided as supplemental resources. However, the Employment Department cannot validate these openings nor endorse any of these external sites. Some of these jobs may no longer be open. In some cases, a single opening may be posted on multiple sites.

There are 2 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 2 are listed below.

Job Title Date Posted Location Employer
Greenhouse Technician 8/10/10 Woodburn Kelly Scientific Resources
Quality Food Implementation Technician 7/9/10 Albany Kelly Scientific Resources
State of Oregon License Information for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians No statewide license is required for this occupation.
Wages for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
Region ---------------- 2010 Wages ----------------
Percentiles (hourly wages) Avg
Hourly
($/hr)
Avg
Annual
10th 25th 50th
(median)
75th 90th
Oregon Statewide $11.55 $13.56 $16.74 $21.11 $23.21 $17.30 $35,995
Multnomah / Washington 10.21 12.28 15.33 22.13 24.34 16.80 34,939
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 10.20 12.03 15.08 17.38 19.37 14.84 30,879
Lane 11.03 12.54 14.73 19.13 22.72 15.76 32,790
Data Sources and Limitations
Regional Employment Projections for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
Region Employment Change % Change Projected Annual Openings
2008 2018 Growth Replacement Total
Oregon Statewide 338 373 35 10.4% 4 13 16
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 96 104 8 8.3% 1 4 4
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 78 84 6 7.7% 1 3 3
Multnomah / Washington 44 48 4 9.1% 0 2 2
Clackamas 22 24 2 9.1% 0 1 1
Morrow / Umatilla 17 18 1 5.9% 0 1 1
Lane 13 14 1 7.7% 0 1 1
Jackson / Josephine 8 8 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Douglas 4 4 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 4 5 1 25.0% 0 0 0
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 1 1 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 1 1 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Grant / Harney / Malheur 1 1 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Coos / Curry 1 1 0 0.0% 0 0 0

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Industries of Employment for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
Industry
Click links to view infoUSA employers
Ownership 2008
Employment
Total, All Industries All 338
Total, All Industries Private 293
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Private 27
Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry Private 23
Support Activities for Crop Production Private 12
Support Activities for Animal Production Private 11
Manufacturing Private 110
Food Manufacturing Private 91
Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing Private 61
Dairy Product Manufacturing Private 19
Chemical Manufacturing Private 13
Wholesale Trade Private 30
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods Private 30
Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers Private 23
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Private 124
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services Private 100
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services Private 17
Total, All Industries State 45
Educational Services State 45
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools State 45
Educational Requirements for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians Workers must have an associate to gain the necessary skills for this occupation. However, those with an associate and related work experience have a competitive advantage in this labor market.
Skills for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
  • Analyze And Interpret Chemical Experimental Data
  • Apply Artificial Insemination Techniques
  • Apply Bacteriology Theory
  • Apply Basic Chemistry
  • Apply Basic Engineering Principles
  • Apply Biochemistry Theory
  • Apply Biological Theory
  • Apply Chemical Laboratory Tests
  • Apply Chemistry Theory
  • Apply Genetic Theory
  • Apply Linear Algebra
  • Apply Microbiology Theory
  • Apply Physiological Knowledge
  • Apply Plant Disease Control Techniques
  • Apply Plant Materials Principles
  • Apply Planting Or Transplanting Techniques
  • Apply Quality Assurance Techniques
  • Apply Research Methodology To Science Or Engineering
  • Apply Safe Waste Disposal Procedures
  • Apply Soil Science Principles
  • Apply Statistical Methods
  • Conduct Chemical Analyses
  • Conduct Field Research
  • Conduct Laboratory Research
  • Conduct Qualitative Analysis
  • Conduct Quantitative Analysis
  • Conduct Vivisection
  • Design Tables Depicting Data
  • Explain Complex Mathematical Information
  • Follow Hazardous Materials Specifications
  • Follow Safety Procedures
  • Identify Tree And Plant Characteristics
  • Inspect Fields Or Forests To Detect Plant Diseases, Pest Infestations Or Noxious Weeds
  • Interpret Computerized Data And Reports
  • Operate Precision Measuring Devices, Tools And Equipment
  • Perform Microbiology Procedures
  • Prepare Reports In Timely Manner
  • Process Records And Maintain Forms And Files
  • Recognize Plant Disease
  • Recognize Tree And Forest Plant Species
  • Research Work-Related Topics Using Library Resources
  • Understand, Use, And Communicate Technical Information
  • Use Algebra
  • Use Biological Research Techniques
  • Use Biological Testing Instruments
  • Use Calculus
  • Use Herbicides And Pesticides
  • Use Quantitative Research Methods
  • Work As A Team Member
Schools and Training Providers for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians The training providers listed below offer programs related to this occupation. This information is updated once per year. Anyone interested in a particular program should check with the training institution regarding its availability. Listing these training providers does not necessarily constitute or imply their endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the State of Oregon.

Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Dr NE
Salem, OR 97305
Phone: (503) 399-5000
Programs of Training:
Linn-Benton Community College
6500 Pacific Blvd SW
Albany, OR 97321
Phone: (541) 917-4999
Programs of Training:
Blue Mountain Community College
2411 NW Carden Ave
Pendleton, OR 97801
Phone: (541) 276-1260
Programs of Training:
Oregon State University
104 Kerr Administration Bldg.
Corvallis, OR 97331
Phone: (541) 737-0123
Programs of Training:
Treasure Valley Community College
650 College Blvd
Ontario, OR 97914
Phone: (541) 881-8822
Programs of Training:
Career Pathway Roadmaps for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians These Oregon community colleges have defined career pathway roadmaps to facilitate entry into this occupation:

Clackamas Community College
Klamath Community College
Related Occupations The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Agricultural and Food Science Technicians matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Biological Technicians 52%
Biological Scientists, All Other 52%
Life Scientists, All Other 47%
Environmental Science And Protection Technicians, Including Health 47%
Biochemists And Biophysicists 46%
Microbiologists 44%
Agricultural And Food Scientists 44%
Soil And Plant Scientists 44%
Chemical Technicians 43%
Food Scientists And Technologists 40%