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Food scientist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$88,720median pay per year, or $42.65 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $52,920lowest 10% earn less
  2. $68,81025th percentile
  3. $88,720median
  4. $116,65075th percentile
  5. $145,280top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Food scientists and technologists had a median pay of $88,720 a year in May 2025[1]. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry level[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+6.2%[5]
Openings per year
1,000[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[2]

How much do food scientists make?

In May 2025, the median pay for Food Scientists and Technologists was $88,720 a year, or $42.65 an hour[1]. The middle worker earned that amount, with half above and half below. The average was $95,360 a year, or $45.85 an hour[7].

The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[4]. The median for food scientists is higher than that figure[1][4].

Pay spread widely:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][8] $52,920 $25.44
25th[3][8] $68,810 $33.08
50th (median)[1] $88,720 $42.65
75th[3][8] $116,650 $56.08
90th[3][8] $145,280 $69.85

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $52,920[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[10]. About 13,060 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

South Carolina had the highest median annual wage at $108,660[12]. Missouri followed at $105,930 and New Jersey at $104,340[12]. Job counts in many states are small, so read state medians with care. South Carolina's figure rests on about 90 jobs[12].

California has the most jobs, about 2,210[13]. Texas has 840 and Illinois has 780[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area had the top median at $113,350[14]. St. Louis came next at $108,200 and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell third at $107,970[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, at 730[15].

Show median pay in 39 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
South Carolina[12]$108,66090
Missouri$105,930390
New Jersey$104,340630
Massachusetts$103,580420
Florida$101,160170
Colorado$99,580320
Minnesota$99,280670
Kentucky$98,710170
Alabama$97,48060
Washington$94,990250
Illinois$94,340780
New York$94,070660
California$93,9502,210
Virginia$93,59070
Maryland$93,330270
Texas$90,610840
Arizona$90,450n/a
Maine$89,48030
Rhode Island$87,97040
Georgia$86,050560
Kansas$85,130380
Oklahoma$84,75050
Arkansas$84,330310
Pennsylvania$83,380400
Wisconsin$83,020410
Iowa$82,010380
Tennessee$81,76070
Oregon$81,660270
Nevada$80,58050
North Carolina$79,840230
New Mexico$79,13030
Idaho$77,440140
Michigan$76,940430
Ohio$76,780270
Utah$73,280120
Nebraska$72,230230
South Dakota$71,33090
Indiana$69,350300
Montana$52,23030

How to become a food scientist

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training[2]. The training details below come from an Occupational Outlook Handbook profile that covers a wider group of agricultural and food scientists[16].

Some workers in the wider group may need a license, particularly in plant and soil sciences[21]. Certifications are generally not required but can help careers advance[22].

In an O*NET survey of 22 workers, 82% said a bachelor's degree is required and 9% said a post-secondary certificate[23].

Useful qualities include communication, critical thinking, data analysis, math and attention to detail[24][25][26][27][28].

What food scientists do

O*NET says food scientists apply chemistry, microbiology, engineering and other sciences to food processing and safety[29]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

The Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for the wider group says these scientists work in laboratories, offices and the field. Fieldwork includes visits to farms or processing plants[31]. For the wider group of agricultural and food scientists, food manufacturing was the largest employer, at 18% in 2025[32]. About 5.7% of food scientists were self-employed[33].

Production sites may involve noise, hot or cold temperatures and protective gear such as lab coats, gloves or eye protection[34]. Some jobs require travel, and the amount varies widely[35]. The profile says full-time schedules are typical[36].

Job outlook

BLS projects Food Scientists and Technologists to grow 6.2% over 2025 to 2035, with jobs going from roughly 14,100 to 14,900[5]. Across all occupations, BLS projects 3.5% growth[37]. These counts include self-employed workers[5].

BLS projects about 1,000 openings a year on average[6]. These openings count jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations as well as newly created jobs[6]. Each year, 1.3% of workers leave the labor force and 5.1% move to a different occupation[38].

Is it a good fit?

The facts suggest a science-based job that asks for a bachelor's degree[2]. Median pay of $88,720 is above the $50,980 all-occupations median[1][4]. Growth of 6.2% is faster than the 3.5% for all occupations, but the field is small, with about 1,000 openings a year[5][37][6]. Some employers may prefer an advanced degree, and internships are recommended[17][19]. People who like lab work, data and food safety may find the duties a match[29][30].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[39].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a food scientist make a year?
The median was $88,720 a year in May 2025, and the average was $95,360[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a food scientist?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[2]. Employers may prefer or require a master's or doctoral degree[17].
Is food scientist a growing field?
Jobs are projected to grow 6.2% over 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][37].
What is the highest paying state for food scientists?
South Carolina had the highest median annual wage at $108,660, based on about 90 jobs[12].
How much does a food scientist make an hour?
The median was $42.65 an hour in May 2025[1].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in the US was $88,720 per year and $42.65 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Food Scientists and Technologists: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Food Scientists and Technologists: 10th percentile $52,920, 25th percentile $68,810, 75th percentile $116,650, 90th percentile $145,280. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Food Scientists and Technologists is projected to grow 6.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 14,100 to 14,900 jobs (a change of +900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,000 openings for Food Scientists and Technologists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Food Scientists and Technologists was $95,360 per year and $45.85 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Food Scientists and Technologists: 10th percentile $25.44, 25th percentile $33.08, 75th percentile $56.08, 90th percentile $69.85. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 13,060 people were employed as Food Scientists and Technologists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Food Scientists and Technologists jobs: California 2,210; Texas 840; Illinois 780; Minnesota 670; New York 660. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Food Scientists and Technologists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $113,350; St. Louis, MO-IL $108,200; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $107,970; Kansas City, MO-KS $105,350; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $104,200; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $103,580; Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $103,300; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $101,760. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Food Scientists and Technologists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 730 (median $104,200); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 610 (median $100,390); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 550 (median $91,060); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 440 (median $101,760); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 410 (median $93,670); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 380 (median $98,930). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Agricultural and Food Scientists" covers Food Scientists and Technologists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 19-1012.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 82%, Post-Secondary Certificate 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. O*NET description of Food Scientists and Technologists. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Food Scientists and Technologists. O*NET OnLine
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of agricultural and food scientists in 2025: Food manufacturing 18%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: 5.7% of Food Scientists and Technologists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Food Scientists and Technologists: 1.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  39. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.