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.
Food Scientists and Technologists
SOC: 19-1012 O*NET: 19-1012.00
Median Salary
$85,310
per year
Job Growth
📈 6.5%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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 does a Food Scientists and Technologists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$49,580
10th percentile
Early Career
$65,240
25th percentile
Median
$85,310
50th percentile
Experienced
$111,700
75th percentile
Top Earners
$141,860
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$49,580
25th
$65,240
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$85,310
Mean: $92,190
75th
$111,700
90th
$141,860
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $92,280 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $65,240 and $111,700
- •Salary spread is 54.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 14,370 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:15,200
Top Industries
Manufacturing50.1%
Food Manufacturing43.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services20%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+6.5%
Annual Openings:1,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)15,200
Current
2034 (Projected)16,200
+6.5%
+1,000
Employment Change
+6.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Food Scientists and Technologists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 37 locations
California
2,350 jobs$85,4801.40x
New Jersey
880 jobs$102,6302.21x
New York
880 jobs$95,7100.99x
Texas
780 jobs$92,7400.60x
Illinois
720 jobs$80,0301.28x
Georgia
680 jobs$69,0501.50x
Missouri
610 jobs$101,5702.23x
Wisconsin
510 jobs$76,0901.87x
Michigan
430 jobs$86,6901.05x
Pennsylvania
430 jobs$82,3900.78x
Iowa
410 jobs$63,4502.80x
Washington
310 jobs$96,0200.94x
Colorado
310 jobs$86,3701.16x
Kansas
310 jobs$86,0402.34x
Ohio
310 jobs$62,4700.60x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Learning
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Science
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Systems Evaluation
40%
Skills Overview
Active Learning
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Science
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Learning
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Science
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Systems Evaluation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Epidemiologists100%
5 shared skills
Soil and Plant Scientists100%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Biochemists and Biophysicists82%
5 shared skills
Molecular and Cellular Biologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Science
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Learning
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Learning
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Food Scientists and Technologists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Tableau
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechR
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechHubSpot software
🔥 Hot TechMarketo Marketing Automation
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechHypertext markup language HTML
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Tableau
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
R
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
HubSpot software
Marketo Marketing Automation
Microsoft Excel
Hypertext markup language HTML
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)Planning & Development (5)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Demonstrate products to clients.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Food Scientists and Technologists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Food Scientists and Technologists professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Food Scientists and Technologists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.59
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.55
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.50
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.41
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.33
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.23
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Integrity
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Persistence
4.1
Innovation
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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