How to Become a Food Scientist
Apply chemistry and microbiology to make food safer, healthier, and longer lasting. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $88,720 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$88,720/yr
Job growth
7%
Openings / yr
1,200
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Food Chemistry
- Product Development
- Quality Assurance
- Science
- Sensory Evaluation
Helpful certifications
- CFS (IFT Certified Food Scientist)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
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Work-life balance
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Stress level
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Satisfaction
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Related careers
- Physicist$172,250 median
- Natural Sciences Manager$167,220 median
- Biochemist$127,410 median
- Biostatistician$105,650 median
- Statistician$105,650 median
- Biomedical Scientist / Researcher$103,410 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Food Scientist make?
The median pay for a Food Scientist is $88,720 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Food Scientist?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Microbiology.
Is Food Scientist a growing field?
The BLS projects much faster than average demand for this role, about 7% over the decade, with roughly 1,200 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Food Scientist use most?
Common skills for this role are Food Chemistry, Product Development, Quality Assurance, Science, and Sensory Evaluation.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.