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Food Scientists and Technologists

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $88,720/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$52,920$145,280

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +6.5% projected growth, 20242034 — faster than average.

About 1,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Critical ThinkingActive LearningReading ComprehensionWritingScienceComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingSpeakingMonitoring
Top knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingFood ProductionChemistryEnglish LanguageMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyBiologyComputers and Electronics
Core tasks

Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.

Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.

Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.

Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications.

Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.

Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.

Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.

Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Food Scientists and Technologists?

The median pay for Food Scientists and Technologists is $88,720 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Food Scientists and Technologists?

Employment for Food Scientists and Technologists is projected to change +6.5% from 2024 to 2034 - faster than average.

What education is typically required for Food Scientists and Technologists?

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Food Scientists and Technologists?

About 1,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.