Food chemist vs food scientist

The differences between food chemists and food scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food scientist has an average salary of $74,345, which is higher than the $62,727 average annual salary of a food chemist.

The top three skills for a food chemist include laboratory equipment, FDA and sops. The most important skills for a food scientist are product development, project management, and food safety.

Food chemist vs food scientist overview

	Food Chemist	Food Scientist
Yearly salary	$62,727	$74,345
Hourly rate	$30.16	$35.74
Growth rate	6%	8%
Number of jobs	61,028	93,145
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	42	40
Years of experience	-	4

Food chemist vs food scientist salary

Food chemists and food scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Food Chemist	Food Scientist
Average salary	$62,727	$74,345
Salary range	Between $44,000 And $87,000	Between $45,000 And $121,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	Napa, CA
Highest paying state	Delaware	Ohio
Best paying company	Cargill	LexisNexis Reed Tech
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between food chemist and food scientist education

There are a few differences between a food chemist and a food scientist in terms of educational background:

	Food Chemist	Food Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Chemistry	Food Science
Most common college	University of Southern California	Cornell University

Food chemist vs food scientist demographics

Here are the differences between food chemists' and food scientists' demographics:

	Food Chemist	Food Scientist
Average age	42	40
Gender ratio	Male, 57.3% Female, 42.7%	Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 18.2% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 11.9% White, 73.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	19%

Differences between food chemist and food scientist duties and responsibilities

Food chemist example responsibilities.

Manage food chemistry testing laboratory and measure clenbuterol levels in beef samples by HPLC
Position are focused around ensuring that the different products being test pass the specifications put in place by the FDA.
Provide calculated electronic absorption (UV/Vis) spectra for molecular candidates suspect to be impurity chromophores in a commercial nylon process.
Establish extraction profiles and develop appropriate QC methods for product certification and annual qualification.

Food scientist example responsibilities.

Achieve accurate, quick QC sample analysis to ensure product integrity.
Lead a collaboration with another biotechnology company to design ELISAs for the purpose of evaluating novel reagents.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
Maintain all QA lab equipment used for preprocess and finish food testing.
Perform HPLC and GC method development and validations to support ANDA filings.
Work on extrusion line; co-developed granola pieces for cereal application and agglomerate bars.

Food chemist vs food scientist skills

Common food chemist skills

Laboratory Equipment, 18%
FDA, 17%
Sops, 13%
R, 9%
HPLC, 9%
Food Products, 8%

Common food scientist skills

Product Development, 9%
Project Management, 8%
Food Safety, 8%
Pilot Plant, 7%
FDA, 4%
Technical Support, 4%

Food Chemist vs. similar jobs

Food Chemist related careers

Food Chemist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Food Chemist
Food Chemist vs Food Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs