How much does a food scientist make?
a year · about $43 an hour
A typical food scientist in the United States makes $88,720 a year, about $43 an hour, about 1.7× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They weigh ingredients, mix a test batch, and check its taste, texture, color, and nutrients in a lab. Then they record results, check food safety or production, and work with teammates to improve the recipe or package.
Did you know? Pinch your nose while eating a jellybean, and you can tell it’s sweet or sour—but not if it’s peppermint or cherry; smell helps reveal the flavor.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $52,920 and $145,280How do you become one?
In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s in food science or a related science; study chemistry, biology, food safety, and processing, and seek an internship. A license or certification is usually not required, but research jobs may prefer a master’s or Ph.D.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like figuring things out and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience, advanced study, useful certification, and specialized or more responsible work can affect a food scientist’s pay. Pay also differs by employer or industry and by location.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in South Carolina ($108,660), lowest in Montana ($52,230).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $52,920 | $88,720 | $145,280 | about 13,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $108,660 | about 90 |
| Missouri | $105,930 | about 390 |
| New Jersey | $104,340 | about 630 |
| Massachusetts | $103,580 | about 420 |
| Florida | $101,160 | about 170 |
Official definition: Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/agricultural-and-food-scientist
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-1012.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.ift.org/advance-your-career/find-a-job/careers-in-the-science-of-food
- foodscience.psu.edu/undergraduate/resources/internship-opportunities
- www.psu.edu/news/academics/story/food-science-students-entertain-intrigue-kids-e
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY