Food safety scientist vs food safety director

The differences between food safety scientists and food safety directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a food safety scientist and a food safety director. Additionally, a food safety scientist has an average salary of $80,238, which is higher than the $69,299 average annual salary of a food safety director.

The top three skills for a food safety scientist include safety data, safety issues and drug safety. The most important skills for a food safety director are food service, FDA, and HACCP.

Food safety scientist vs food safety director overview

	Food Safety Scientist	Food Safety Director
Yearly salary	$80,238	$69,299
Hourly rate	$38.58	$33.32
Growth rate	8%	10%
Number of jobs	106,128	141,051
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	40	39
Years of experience	4	4

What does a food safety scientist do?

A food safety scientist's responsibility is to improve food quality and packaging and to create new food products by developing excellent processing, storage, and transportation procedures with proper compliance with the health and safety standards. He/she is skilled at analyzing the nutritional food content, discovering new food sources, and researching safe and healthy food processing. In addition, this food scientist studies the microbiological, chemical, and physical properties of food and ingredients to ensure its safety for consumers.

What does a food safety director do?

Food safety directors implement regulations and standards in various facilities. As a food safety director, you are responsible for training other inspectors who help inspect the facility and make detailed reports from which you determine how best to maintain safety standards. You will maintain documentation of day-to-day activities, making sure products meet the outlined criteria, educate suppliers, conduct regular safety audits, and promote smooth workflow.

Food safety scientist vs food safety director salary

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

	Food Safety Scientist	Food Safety Director
Average salary	$80,238	$69,299
Salary range	Between $48,000 And $132,000	Between $34,000 And $137,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Concord, NH
Highest paying state	California	New Hampshire
Best paying company	Genentech	CyberCoders
Best paying industry	-	Media

Differences between food safety scientist and food safety director education

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

	Food Safety Scientist	Food Safety Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	Cornell University	Cornell University

Food safety scientist vs food safety director demographics

Here are the differences between food safety scientists' and food safety directors' demographics:

	Food Safety Scientist	Food Safety Director
Average age	40	39
Gender ratio	Male, 32.1% Female, 67.9%	Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 12.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 9.1% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	19%	10%

Differences between food safety scientist and food safety director duties and responsibilities

Food safety scientist example responsibilities.

Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
Draft letters to the FDA and license partners regarding evaluation and reporting of adverse event reports.
Develop complete responses to FDA inquiries regarding investigational and market product safety which present accurate benefit-risk information and support company initiatives.
Used quantitative western blot to support selection of biomarkers specific to human dehydration.
Utilize FACS to study enrichment module separation efficiency and test various biomarkers by fluorescent imaging.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

Food safety director example responsibilities.

Manage operations and provide support to a team of 245 union employees at various elementary, middle and high school cafeterias.
Prepare HACCP analysis report and provide reports for the areas not meeting the quality standards.
Supervise culinary selection, catering, event planning, and baking/cooking functions and oversee menu development.
Assist with the development and execution of HACCP plans specific to projects and special events.
Ensure collaboration between interdisciplinary teams including the clinical, culinary, and patient food service management staff to improve department efficiency.
Assist in directing total food service operation in accordance with USDA policies and procedures.

Food safety scientist vs food safety director skills

Common food safety scientist skills

Safety Data, 13%
Safety Issues, 12%
Drug Safety, 10%
FDA, 8%
Study Reports, 7%
Food Safety, 7%

Common food safety director skills

Food Service, 10%
FDA, 7%
HACCP, 7%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
Culinary, 6%
Fsma, 5%

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Food Safety Scientist
Food Safety Scientist vs Food Safety Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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