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Food scientist vs quality control assistant

The differences between food scientists and quality control assistants 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 $37,836 average annual salary of a quality control assistant.

The top three skills for a food scientist include product development, project management and food safety. The most important skills for a quality control assistant are product quality, quality checks, and lab equipment.

Food scientist vs quality control assistant overview

Food ScientistQuality Control Assistant
Yearly salary$74,345$37,836
Hourly rate$35.74$18.19
Growth rate8%3%
Number of jobs93,14581,401
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4038
Years of experience4-

What does a food scientist do?

A food scientists' job is primarily to improve food in terms of quality and packaging and create new food products. This job may include ensuring products comply with health and safety standards as well as developing excellent quality food processing, storage, and transportation procedures. They will collaborate with project groups to make new products starting from conceptualization to commercialization. Moreover, they work on the release of potential brands and improve nutritional quality, especially the flavor and texture of food. Also, they assist the company in leading product improvements and innovations.

What does a quality control assistant do?

Quality assurance technicians work as testers, samplers, and inspectors of quality control in the organizations. They are equipped with skills in visual inspection, written and verbal communication, and active listening. In carrying out their jobs, they are expected to work well and be detail-oriented. Working as a quality assurance technician involves problem-solving, decision making, and creative thinking. They see to it that products and services meet the quality standards for the entire organization.

Food scientist vs quality control assistant salary

Food scientists and quality control assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food ScientistQuality Control Assistant
Average salary$74,345$37,836
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $121,000Between $26,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityNapa, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateOhioWashington
Best paying companyLexisNexis Reed TechSun Chemical
Best paying industryEducationConstruction

Differences between food scientist and quality control assistant education

There are a few differences between a food scientist and a quality control assistant in terms of educational background:

Food ScientistQuality Control Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorFood ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeCornell UniversityStanford University

Food scientist vs quality control assistant demographics

Here are the differences between food scientists' and quality control assistants' demographics:

Food ScientistQuality Control Assistant
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 41.8% Female, 58.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage19%8%

Differences between food scientist and quality control assistant duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Quality control assistant example responsibilities.

  • Develop procedures for testing equipment for safety and compliance to achieve FDA regulations for safety and manufacturing.
  • Help ensure compliance with GMP policies, HACCP, QMS, and good housekeeping throughout the plant.
  • Make sure co-worker follow safety rules and regulation and wearing PPE.
  • Create weekly PowerPoint data sheets for coaching staff to aid when writing prospective student athletes.
  • Work in aseptic gowning for ISO 5-8 and provide qualifications for personnel in aseptic gowning techniques.
  • Perform inspections of raw materials, supervise assembly of product, and inspect final product in an ISO certify sheltered workshop.
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Food scientist vs quality control assistant skills

Common food scientist skills
  • Product Development, 9%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Food Safety, 8%
  • Pilot Plant, 7%
  • FDA, 4%
  • Technical Support, 4%
Common quality control assistant skills
  • Product Quality, 13%
  • Quality Checks, 11%
  • Lab Equipment, 10%
  • Safety Standards, 9%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • GMP, 6%

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