Food Scientists and Technologists

SOC code 19-1012 · O*NET-SOC 19-1012.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Food Scientists and Technologists pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$88,720

a year

Hourly

$42.65

per hour

10th$52,920Median$88,72090th$145,280

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$95,360

$45.85 per hour

Middle 50%

$68,810 – $116,650

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$52,920 – $145,280

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

13,060

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $52,920; $25.44/hr
25th percentile: $68,810; $33.08/hr
Median percentile: $88,720; $42.65/hr
75th percentile: $116,650; $56.08/hr
90th percentile: $145,280; $69.85/hr

What do food scientists and technologists do?

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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 82% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

See all zone 4 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Bachelor's Degree82%
Post-Secondary Certificate9%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%
Master's Degree5%

Common questions

How much does a food scientists and technologists earn?

The national median is $88,720 a year. The full range runs from $52,920 at the 10th percentile to $145,280 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a food scientists and technologists without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension4.0/5
Critical Thinking4.0/5
Active Learning4.0/5
Active Listening3.9/5
Writing3.9/5
Speaking3.9/5
Science3.9/5
Monitoring3.6/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing4.4/5
Food Production4.1/5
Chemistry4.0/5
English Language4.0/5
Mathematics3.7/5
Engineering and Technology3.7/5
Biology3.5/5
Computers and Electronics3.3/5

Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.