Food Scientists and Technologists
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.
Common Job Titles
Annual wage data for Food Scientists and Technologists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
14,370
Wage Distribution by Percentile
| 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
- Food Production4.2/5
- Biology4.2/5
- Chemistry4.1/5
- Production and Processing4.0/5
- English Language3.7/5
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings