Food scientists do many different jobs. Some are focused on food safety and quality, testing foods to make sure that they are safe and tasty for people and pets to eat. Some food scientists design and make recipes and food cooking instructions for things like frozen pizzas, chocolates, cereal, pet food, supplements, and more. Other food scientists study packaging and how to best store and preserve food. And yet others work with biologists and farmers to develop new crops that taste and ship better. Food scientists come from a variety of backgrounds including chemistry, biology, and culinary and work for companies, farms, universities, and government organizations like the FDA and the USDA.
$45,000 to $100,000 per year
Food scientists need a Bachelor's degree. Some pursue a Master's degree.
Watch a food scientist describes their job working for the FDA and the importance of food scientists in food safety.
Learn about what food scientists at a food manufacturer (human and pet food) do and what skills they need for the job.
Several food scientists talk about the variety of jobs in the industry, and how they got into the field.
Hear a food scientist talk about her job checking ice cream products for safety.
In this video, professionals working in the dairy industry discuss why they love their careers.