Food scientists and technologists develop and improve the food products you eat every day. You'll work in labs and production facilities, testing for safety and quality. The role requires a bachelor's degree and strong analytical skills.
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Food scientists and technologists test, evaluate, and improve food products and processes. You document your findings, gather information from colleagues and supervisors, and check that products meet safety and quality standards. You identify problems in production, make decisions to solve them, and communicate results to your team. The work blends chemistry, engineering, and food production knowledge. You might develop new recipes, improve shelf life, reduce costs, or ensure products are safe to eat. Lab work and production floor time are both part of the job.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Food Scientists and Technologists earn a median of $88,720 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 1,200 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree to enter this field. Your coursework will cover chemistry, food production, mathematics, and engineering principles. The preparation is considerable, so expect to develop strong active learning and critical thinking skills during your studies. You'll read scientific literature, write reports, listen to feedback, and apply what you learn to real problems. Internships in food production or quality assurance can help you build hands-on experience before you graduate.
Most food scientists earn a bachelor's degree, though some pursue advanced degrees for research or leadership roles. The path is straightforward but rigorous, so if you're weighing your options and want to map out the steps, Pathly can map the food scientist and technologist path that fits you and work through it with your counselor.
You do not need a license to work as a food scientist and technologist, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to investigative work. You like solving problems, testing ideas, and using data to make decisions. You're curious about how things work and enjoy learning new methods.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).