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.
Annual wage data for Food Scientists and Technologists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
14,370
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $49,580. 25th percentile: U.S. $65,240. 50th percentile: U.S. $85,310. 75th percentile: U.S. $111,700. 90th percentile: U.S. $141,860. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $49,580 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $141,860 |
| Workers on average earn | $92,190 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
