Food Manufacturing Technician
Food manufacturing technicians operate, monitor, and maintain equipment used in large-scale food processing and production. They follow HACCP and FDA sanitation protocols, monitor temperature and quality checkpoints, perform batch processing, and troubleshoot equipment issues. The BLS reports a median salary of $37,130. Employment is stable as food production remains essential, with growing demand for technicians skilled in automated systems.
A Day in the Life
A typical day begins with a sanitation check of the production line and verifying ingredient weights. The technician starts up mixing and baking equipment, monitoring temperatures and conveyor speeds throughout the run. Mid-day involves pulling samples for lab testing and adjusting seasoning ratios. After lunch, they perform a changeover to a different product, cleaning equipment according to allergen protocols, then document batch records and production volumes.
Key Stats
Education
High School Diploma
Salary Range
Entry: $28,000
Median: $37,130
Senior: $50,000
Job Growth