Food Scientists & Technologists

Also Called: Food Scientist, Food Technologist, Research Food Technologist, Research Scientist

Bachelor's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$48,480

Entry Salary

Average

Job outlook

What Food Scientists & 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.

  • 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.
  • Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
Industry Areas:

Renewable Resources and Energy

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Contact With Others
  • Telephone

Tools

  • Laboratory heat exchange condensers
  • Crushing machinery
  • Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters
  • Filling machinery
  • Laboratory mechanical convection ovens

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Analytical or scientific software
Insightful S-PLUS
MDS Analytical Technologies GenePix Pro

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
food production
manufacture and distribution of products
Math and Science
biology
chemistry
Arts and Humanities
English language
Engineering and Technology
product and service development

Education

  • 57% Bachelor's degree
  • 13% Doctoral degree
  • 13% Post-doctoral training

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.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Agricultural Inspectors

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Security & Fire Alarm Systems Installers

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, & Groundskeeping Workers

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

Food Scientists & Technologists Currently Selected

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Animal Scientists

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

    Tifton, GA

  • Alabama A & M University

    Normal, AL

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

The Military offers exciting career opportunities that align with your interests. Click here to explore military careers and find a recruiter near you.

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Investigative (Thinker)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Dependability

Values

  • Achievement
  • Support
  • Recognition

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Math
  • Visual Understanding

This is what Food Scientists & Technologists across the country typically make.

$23.31 / hour
$48,480 /year

Entry Level

$39.47 / hour
$82,090 /year

Median Level

$65.11 / hour
$135,430 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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