Laboratory Food Technicians
18AI EXPOSURE TODAY18
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST58%
NOT A FORECAST58%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAY£22,000 - £28,000
REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.
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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES →
Laboratory Food Technicians
Laboratory food technicians play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and quality of food products consumed globally. By conducting vital tests and analyses, they help uphold public health standards and drive innovation in the food industry, making this a crucial position in the ever-evolving landscape of food science.
THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.
AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.
This job holds up well against AI
AI exposure today is low on our index (18), and the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.
Career progression path
1FIRST STEPJunior Laboratory Food TechnicianIn this entry-level role, you will assist in conducting tests and preparing samples under the supervision of senior technicians. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.£22,000 - £28,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level Laboratory Food TechnicianAs a mid-level technician, you will take on more complex testing and analysis tasks, contribute to research projects, and mentor junior staff. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring product quality.£30,000 - £38,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Laboratory Food TechnicianIn this senior role, you will lead laboratory teams, oversee testing protocols, and liaise with regulatory bodies. Your leadership will drive innovation and ensure the highest standards of food safety.£40,000+
Apprenticeship listings for this career → (June 2026 snapshot; check closing dates on the official service)
The degree route
Courses in this career's subject area, from the live library of 35,000; every one is AI impact assessed through its actual graduate destinations.
🎓Biological Sciences with Spanish for ScienceImperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£31,500 median
🎓Human Sciences and EvolutionUniversity College London · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£30,500 median
🎓Biochemistry and PharmacologyUniversity of Strathclyde · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£28,000 median
🎓Biomedical Sciences with a Year in IndustryRoyal Holloway and Bedford New College · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£27,500 median
All Biological Sciences courses as cards →
There is more than one way in
You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is an apprenticeship route into this career. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.
Degree subjects that lead this way
Courses in this career's subject area, from the same register that priced the degree above. Subject-matched, not a guaranteed qualifying route: check each course's own entry requirements and any professional accreditation before you rely on it.
Biological Sciences with Spanish for ScienceImperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine · DegreeHuman Sciences and EvolutionUniversity College London · DegreeBiochemistryThe University of Leeds · DegreeBiochemistry and PharmacologyUniversity of Strathclyde · DegreeHuman BiologyQueen's University of Belfast · DegreeBiomedical Sciences with a Year in IndustryRoyal Holloway and Bedford New College · Degree