Brewing Technician

    Agriculture & Farming

    CIP Name: Brewing Technician|CIP Code: 01.1003
    SOC Codes: 51-3092, 51-9012, 19-1012, 19-4013

    A program that focuses on the business, science, and technology of beer brewing operations.

    $49K
    Median Salary
    +5.65%
    Job Growth
    6mo-1.5yr
    Training
    4.3K
    Jobs/Year

    What Brewing Technicians Do

    A program that focuses on the business, science, and technology of beer brewing operations.

    Common Tasks

    Food Batchmakers

    • 1Record production and test data for each food product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle.
    • 2Clean and sterilize vats and factory processing areas.
    • 3Set up, operate, and tend equipment that cooks, mixes, blends, or processes ingredients in the manufacturing of food products, according to formulas or recipes.
    • 4Mix or blend ingredients, according to recipes, using a paddle or an agitator, or by controlling vats that heat and mix ingredients.
    • 5Follow recipes to produce food products of specified flavor, texture, clarity, bouquet, or color.

    What You'll Learn

    biologybiochemistrybrewingentrepreneurshipfermentationmaltingmarketingmicrobiologyquality controlsanitation

    Types of Brewing Technicians

    Batching OperatorBlenderBrewing TechnicianCompounderDosier OperatorDough ScalerMix TechnicianMixerMixer OperatorSyrup MakerBrewerCellar WorkerDigester CookMachine TenderPaper Machine TenderPlant OperatorPulper OperatorWinemakerCorporate Food ScientistFood EngineerFood Safety Regulatory ManagerFood ScientistFood TechnologistFood and Drug Research ScientistFormulatorProduct Development ScientistResearch ChefResearch ScientistCentral 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 AnalystQuality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)Quality Tech (Quality Technician)

    Work Environment

    Locations

    • • Breweries and brewpubs
    • • Beverage production plants
    • • Quality control laboratories
    • • Fermentation and cellar operations
    • • Food and beverage manufacturing facilities

    Schedule

    Most roles run on set shifts, and production jobs may include nights, weekends, or overtime during high-volume runs and tight deadlines.

    Physical Demands

    Work often involves long periods of standing and walking, frequent handling of hoses, valves, containers, and tools, and repetitive tasks. Some roles require lifting and moving materials and working around hot liquids, chemicals, and wet floors while following strict sanitation rules.

    Salary & Job Outlook

    Median $49,465
    $36,785$75,483+
    Entry Level
    10th percentile
    $36,785
    Early Career
    25th percentile
    $42,910
    Median
    50th percentile
    $49,465
    Experienced
    75th percentile
    $61,152
    Top Earners
    90th percentile
    $75,483+

    National Employment: 263,500 jobs

    Top Paying States

    Why Demand May Grow

    Demand may rise as craft and regional beverage producers expand and need staff for fermentation, quality control, and sanitation. Tighter food-safety expectations can also increase hiring for lab testing and process documentation roles.

    Skills You'll Need

    Sanitation and food-safety practicesQuality control sampling and basic lab testingProcess monitoring (temperature, pressure, flow) and recordkeepingEquipment operation (pumps, valves, tanks, filters) and basic troubleshootingAttention to detail and consistencyMath skills for measurements, scaling, and calculationsPhysical stamina and safe lifting/handlingTeamwork and clear communication on the production floor

    Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Hands-on work with clear procedures and measurable results
    • Skills transfer across food and beverage manufacturing
    • Opportunities to move into quality, safety, or production leadership
    • Mix of science, equipment operation, and process control
    • Steady demand in major manufacturing states

    Cons

    • High time pressure during production runs and troubleshooting
    • Standing and manual handling can be physically tiring
    • Strict sanitation, documentation, and compliance requirements
    • Exposure to heat, noise, odors, and cleaning chemicals
    • Some roles can be affected by automation or industry consolidation
    FAQ

    Common Questions About the Brewing Technician Trade

    Not Sure This Trade is Right?

    Take our free career quiz to discover trades that match your interests and skills.

    Take the Career Quiz