What Does a Food Scientist Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a food scientist do?

Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products, including developing new food products. The median pay is $88,720 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4-year degree, and employment is projected to grow +6.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$88,720
$42.65/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+6.2%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
1,000
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
4-year degree
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
14,100
Employment, 2025

What food scientists do

Food scientists invent and improve food. They develop new products, test shelf life and safety, improve flavor and texture, scale recipes for production, and work on food safety and nutrition.

A bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field is typical. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

Develop products
Run sensory tests
Test shelf life
Ensure food safety
Scale recipes
Write specs
Work with production

Work environment and schedule

Food scientists work in labs, pilot plants and food factories.

Schedule: Full-time business hours.

A day in the life

8:30 AMBench-test a new recipe.
10:00 AMRun a sensory panel.
11:30 AMCheck shelf-life samples.
1:00 PMMeet marketing about a launch.

See a full day in the life of a food scientist →

Food Scientist salary

Half of food scientists earned more than $88,720 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $52,920 for the lowest 10% to $145,280 for the top 10%.

$52,92010th$88,720Median$145,28090th

Full food scientist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a food scientist

Earn a food science degree
Do internships
Join R&D
Earn the CFS
Advance

A bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry or a related field is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a food scientist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Food chemistry
Product development
Sensory testing
Food safety
Shelf-life testing

People skills

Creativity
Teamwork
Curiosity
Communication

All food scientist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Faster-than-average growth
Creative work
Taste food at work
Many employers

Cons

Product failures
Regulatory detail
Plant trials
Launch pressure

Certifications and licenses

CFS: Certified Food Scientist (IFT).
PCQI: Preventive controls.
HACCP certification: Food safety.
Master’s: For research.

Career path

Food Technologist: Entry.
Food Scientist: Develop.
Senior Scientist: Lead.
R&D Director: Lead programs.

Learn the job before day one

Our Food Scientist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a sensory taste test and design a shelf-life study, safety and how to land your first job.

View Food Scientist training Is this career right for me?

Food Science Technician

Test food and ingredients to keep products safe, consistent and tasty.

$52,130
2 years

Chemist

Study substances and create new materials, medicines and products.

$91,240
4+ years

Dietitian

Use food and nutrition to help people prevent and manage disease.

$76,400
Bachelor’s plus graduate program and supervised practice

Food Batchmaker

Measure and mix ingredients into large batches for food production.

$42,290
A few months on the job

Compare: Food Scientist vs. Food Science Technician · Food Scientist vs. Chemist · Food Scientist vs. Dietitian · Food Scientist vs. Food Batchmaker

Food Scientist FAQ

Is food science growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.

What degree do I need?

Usually a bachelor’s in food science or chemistry.

What is the CFS?

A credential from the Institute of Food Technologists.

How much does a food scientist make?

The median annual wage for food scientists was $88,720 ($42.65 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $52,920 and the highest 10% earned more than $145,280.

How long does it take to become a food scientist?

Most people need about 4-year degree of training. A bachelor’s degree in food science, chemistry or a related field is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a food scientist?

Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-1012 (Food scientists and technologists).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Food scientists and technologists (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Food Scientist