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The differences between food technologists and food scientists 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 technologist and a food scientist. Additionally, a food scientist has an average salary of $74,345, which is higher than the $62,229 average annual salary of a food technologist.
The top three skills for a food technologist include food safety, food preparation and regulatory compliance. The most important skills for a food scientist are product development, project management, and food safety.
| Food Technologist | Food Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $62,229 | $74,345 |
| Hourly rate | $29.92 | $35.74 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 103,677 | 93,145 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Food technologists and food scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Food Technologist | Food Scientist | |
| Average salary | $62,229 | $74,345 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $98,000 | Between $45,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chicago, IL | Napa, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Ohio |
| Best paying company | LexisNexis Reed Tech | LexisNexis Reed Tech |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a food technologist and a food scientist in terms of educational background:
| Food Technologist | Food Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Food Science | Food Science |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between food technologists' and food scientists' demographics:
| Food Technologist | Food Scientist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.1% Female, 54.9% | Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6% |
| 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, 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 | 19% | 19% |