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Food Lab Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Our diverse work portfolio includes broad accreditation offerings and tested insights across the environmental, food and nutrition and life science markets. JOB SUMMARY The Lab Technician, working in ...

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Food Lab information

See Kentucky salary details

$8

$21

$39

How much do food lab jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for food lab in Kentucky is $21.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.68 and $24.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Food Lab vs Food Scientist?

AspectFood LabFood Scientist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in food science, chemistry, or related fieldRequires a degree in food science, chemistry, or related field; often advanced degrees for research roles
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, food production facilities, testing centersResearch labs, food manufacturing companies, academic institutions
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, testing labs, quality assuranceFood industry R&D, academia, government agencies

Food Lab roles focus on testing, quality control, and product development in practical settings, while Food Scientists often engage in research, product innovation, and scientific analysis. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food lab technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Lab Technician, you need a solid background in food science, chemistry, or microbiology, often supported by a relevant degree or laboratory certification. Familiarity with lab equipment, quality control systems, and safety regulations such as HACCP or ISO standards is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork set standout professionals apart in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring food safety, maintaining product quality, and supporting regulatory compliance in food production environments.

What is a food lab?

A food lab is a specialized facility where food products are tested, analyzed, and developed to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with regulations. Food labs conduct a variety of tests, such as checking for contaminants, nutritional content, shelf life, and sensory qualities. They play a crucial role in supporting food manufacturers, researchers, and regulatory agencies to maintain food safety standards and innovate new products.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in a food lab, and how can they be managed?

Professionals in a food lab often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict safety and sanitation standards, managing tight deadlines for product testing, and adapting to rapidly changing regulatory requirements. Collaboration across departments—such as quality assurance, research and development, and production—is essential to ensure accurate results and product safety. Staying organized, communicating clearly with team members, and keeping up-to-date with current food safety protocols can help mitigate these challenges and support a productive work environment.

What are popular job titles related to Food Lab jobs in Kentucky?

For Food Lab jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Food Lab job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,612 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

Laboratory Technician

Microbac

Louisville, KY • On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Come join our family! If you are interested in truly making a difference in a collaborative and rewarding work setting with a culture of respect, accountability, appreciation, and loyalty, Microbac might be the right place for you!

We offer a positive working environment with engaged and supportive leadership teams along with competitive pay and benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, generous paid time off including vacation, holidays and flextime, a wellness program, referral bonus, tuition reimbursement and more!

ABOUT MICROBAC

Microbac Laboratories, Inc. is a premier commercial laboratory testing firm that partners with clients nationwide, offering laboratory solutions to life science, food and nutrition, and environmental industries and serves our clients with the utmost expertise and respect for their market requirements, constraints, and challenges. We embody a company-wide commitment to exceptional customer experience, which has been refined by over 50 years of trusted, analytical and measurement experience.

As a privately held third-party testing company, Microbac operates with a commitment to our workforce, safety, quality, and compliance. Our diverse work portfolio includes broad accreditation offerings and tested insights across the environmental, food and nutrition and life science markets.

JOB SUMMARY

The Lab Technician, working in an accredited commercial laboratory, is responsible for performing various laboratory functions such as preparing media and/or samples of a variety of sample types for analysis, performing routine laboratory maintenance efforts, and is responsible for basic set up and operation of laboratory instrumentation and equipment to support exceptional Customer Experience (CX).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Following established SOP’s, Laboratory Technicians ensure customer satisfaction by supporting laboratory staff through executing various entry level laboratory duties, resulting in the timely and accurate reporting of data
  • Gather appropriate materials needed to prepare and analyze test samples
  • Sample receipt, login, storage and disposal
  • Prepare necessary standards, solutions, media, etc., that are required for sample analyses
  • Perform basic equipment and instrumentation set up and operation
  • Execute routine laboratory maintenance efforts, such as glassware cleaning and sterilization, and ensuring the laboratory is well maintained
  • Accurately record observations and data
  • Maintain accurate, up to date logs, notebooks and equipment records
  • Perform necessary laboratory administrative functions such as filing paperwork, photocopying, reviewing of data, and entering data into computerized LIMS
  • Comply with and promote Personnel, Safety, and Quality Program
  • Other duties as assigned
  • Requires rotation-based weekend work

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • Ability to work with small vials, test tubes and delicate laboratory equipment
  • Ability to apply basic algebraic concepts to perform basic laboratory calculations and accurately measure substances, liquids and/or solutions
  • Ability to read and apply established protocols and SOP’s to daily objectives
  • Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements:

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit.
  • The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Working Conditions:

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.


As a privately held third-party testing company, Microbac operates with a commitment to safety, quality, and compliance. Our diverse work portfolio includes broad accreditation offerings and tested insights across the environmental, food and life science markets.

OTHER:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties an employee may be required to perform. Microbac reserves the right to revise the job description at any time.

Employment is at-will. Microbac, promotes a drug-free, alcohol-free workplace. Applicants considered for hire must pass a drug test before beginning work. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration.

Microbac is an Equal Opportunity Employer – We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.