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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Food Scientists and Technologists

Median Salary
82,090
Job Outlook
+8%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,100 openings for agricultural and food scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$49,760

10%

$82,090

Median

$106,230

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    56%

  • Doctoral degree

    13%

  • Post-doctoral training

    13%

  • Master's degree

    8%

  • Post baccalaureate

    8%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Food Science
  • Agriculture, General
  • Food Science and Technology, Other
  • Viticulture and Enology
  • Food Technology and Processing
  • International Agriculture
  • Brewing Science
  • Culinary Science/Culinology
  • Zymology/Fermentation Science

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Leadership

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Food Production
  • Production and Processing
  • English Language

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.