Food Scientists and Technologists earn $88,720 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $68,810 and $116,650. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
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.
Also known as:
Food Scientists and Technologists earn $88,720 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,810 and $116,650. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Above the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Food Scientists and Technologists roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +6.5% employment change for Food Scientists and Technologists through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 1,200 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
About as fast as average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Food Scientists and Technologists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $88,720 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 2,350 | $85,480 | -3.7% |
| 2 | New Jersey | 880 | $102,630 | +15.7% |
| 3 | New York | 880 | $95,710 | +7.9% |
| 4 | Texas | 780 | $92,740 | +4.5% |
| 5 | Illinois | 720 | $80,030 | -9.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Food Scientists and Technologists positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Culinary Arts | 22,680 | $47,668 | 632 |
| 2 | Agriculture | 3,256 | $53,676 | 188 |
| 3 | Food Science and Technology | 2,181 | $70,873 | 162 |
| 4 | International Agriculture | 215 | $56,491 | 18 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 2 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | 90 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| 3 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CA | 90 | $1,947 | $36,119 |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL | 89 | $14,355 | $81,054 |
| 5 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA | 89 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| 6 | College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MO | 88 | $6,100 | $41,592 |
Once you've sized up Food Scientists and Technologists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Food Scientists and Technologists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Strong earnings and growing demand make Food Scientists and Technologists a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
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