Food technologist vs food processor

The differences between food technologists and food processors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food technologist has an average salary of $62,229, which is higher than the $31,432 average annual salary of a food processor.

The top three skills for a food technologist include food safety, food preparation and regulatory compliance. The most important skills for a food processor are food safety, assembly line, and GMP.

Food technologist vs food processor overview

	Food Technologist	Food Processor
Yearly salary	$62,229	$31,432
Hourly rate	$29.92	$15.11
Growth rate	8%	2%
Number of jobs	103,677	54,339
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	40	37
Years of experience	4	-

What does a food technologist do?

A food technologist is responsible for developing safe and healthy food products, managing convenient food manufacturing processes, and ensuring that the procedures adhere to internal guidelines and state regulations. Food technologists identify ways to improve food preservation methods, as well as strategizing in consumer-friendly packaging and distribution processes. They also research the current food trends and technology advancements according to public demands that would generate more revenue resources and increase the business' profits. A food technologist studies the product's reviews and analyzes techniques for more efficient product preparation.

What does a food processor do?

A food processing job involves various tasks to ensure the highest quality of food and ingredients during food preparations in a facility. Food safety processors or food processing workers prepare and preserve various food items, such as canned, baked, frozen, dried, and pasteurized products, and manage their inventory. Aside from working in food production, the food processors also monitor the machinery during cooking and mixing of the ingredients to ensure compliance with the product quality standards. Depending on their specific tasks, these processors must follow strict health, safety food guidelines, and government regulations.

Food technologist vs food processor salary

Food technologists and food processors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Food Technologist	Food Processor
Average salary	$62,229	$31,432
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $98,000	Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Chicago, IL	Hillsboro, OR
Highest paying state	New York	Oregon
Best paying company	LexisNexis Reed Tech	E.W. Grobbel Sons
Best paying industry	Health Care	Finance

Differences between food technologist and food processor education

There are a few differences between a food technologist and a food processor in terms of educational background:

	Food Technologist	Food Processor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Food Science	Business
Most common college	Cornell University	-

Food technologist vs food processor demographics

Here are the differences between food technologists' and food processors' demographics:

	Food Technologist	Food Processor
Average age	40	37
Gender ratio	Male, 45.1% Female, 54.9%	Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 12.0% White, 72.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 8.5% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	19%	6%

Differences between food technologist and food processor duties and responsibilities

Food technologist example responsibilities.

Develop and process data and presentations and manage technical documents for FDA & USDA.
Organize schedules for employees and set payroll -Provide direction and solve employee problems -Be extremely personable & manage stock control
Train and supervise employees GMP and GHP.
Create process controls and preventative actions through HACCP system/principles.
Prepare and package foods according to USDA standards for consumer consumption
Maintain up to date knowledge of USDA regulations, policies and appropriate product technology.

Food processor example responsibilities.

Manage and instruct workers in the art of food preparation as culinary team leader.
Take orders and run cash register.
Pull pallets of meals into work area using pallet jacks.
Handle and process numerous types of livestock in strict accordance to USDA guidelines.
Inspect incoming pallets of package food items for damages and defects prior to distribution to airport vendors.
Bag groceries, load into cart, and help customers carry and load purchase groceries outside to their vehicles.

Food technologist vs food processor skills

Common food technologist skills

Food Safety, 16%
Food Preparation, 8%
Regulatory Compliance, 5%
Cleanliness, 4%
Safety Standards, 4%
Laboratory Equipment, 4%

Common food processor skills

Food Safety, 23%
Assembly Line, 12%
GMP, 10%
Food Preparation, 7%
Food Processing Equipment, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%

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Food Technologist
Food Technologist vs Food Processor

Updated January 8, 2025

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