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Job outlook for product development scientists in the United States
Product development scientist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected product development scientist job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 20,800 new jobs for product development scientists are projected over the next decade.
Product development scientist salaries have increased 14% for product development scientists in the last 5 years.
There are over 13,504 product development scientists currently employed in the United States.
There are 147,027 active product development scientist job openings in the US.
The average product development scientist salary is $84,817.
Are product development scientist jobs in demand?
Product development scientist job and salary trends over time
Product development scientist jobs over time
Product development scientist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,504 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 15,689 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 15,822 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 14,969 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 13,895 | 0.00% |
Average product development scientist salary over time
Product development scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $84,817 | $40.78 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $82,296 | $39.57 | +4.7% |
| 2023 | $78,607 | $37.79 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $76,086 | $36.58 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $74,640 | $35.88 | --2.1% |
Product development scientist jobs by state
Most common states for product development scientists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,276 | 41% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 297 | 39% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 220 | 38% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 320 | 37% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 246 | 33% |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 3,800 | 30% |
| 7 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 630 | 30% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 568 | 30% |
| 9 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,598 | 28% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,849 | 27% |
| 11 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 788 | 27% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,669 | 26% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,237 | 26% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,571 | 26% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 275 | 26% |
| 16 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 777 | 25% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,715 | 24% |
| 18 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,423 | 23% |
| 19 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 677 | 23% |
| 20 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 6,258 | 22% |
Most common cities for product development scientists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chanhassen | 3 | 12% | $81,182 |
| 2 | Milford | 1 | 4% | $86,842 |
| 3 | Dearborn | 2 | 2% | $81,332 |
| 4 | Minneapolis | 6 | 1% | $81,250 |
| 5 | Irvine | 3 | 1% | $101,002 |
| 6 | Macon | 1 | 1% | $60,028 |
| 7 | New Haven | 1 | 1% | $92,273 |
| 8 | Pleasanton | 1 | 1% | $115,268 |
| 9 | Torrance | 1 | 1% | $101,951 |
| 10 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $79,647 |
| 11 | Raleigh | 1 | 0% | $77,461 |
Product Development Scientist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of product development scientist experts
Northeastern State University
Washburn University of Topeka
Purdue University
University of San Diego
Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University
Washington State University
Southwestern College
Purdue University
University of Nebraska - Omaha
University of Kentucky
Loyola University New Orleans
Quinnipiac University
Feather River College
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
John Richardson: Maximizing salary potential comes not only from having a sound background in your chosen field (you must represent value to your company), but also through sound communication skills, both written and oral. If you can come off as a competent, confident, and well-versed candidate (asset) in the interview process, you will probably land the job! Direct, honest, and effective communication will then help you keep your job and even be considered for raises and promotions. I also like to encourage my students to broaden their skill sets and credentials while still in school: consider earning a minor in something like business, mathematics, or computer science... You never know where your future career might take you!
What general advice would you give to a Product Development Scientist?
Aurora Clark: BS level Chemists can be employed in a variety of roles that leverage their scientific knowledge, laboratory and analytical thinking skills. As technicians in companies or government organizations they may be responsible for sample collection and analysis – for example water quality. They may also work in R&D; in industry as part of larger teams doing development of new materials or devices. On a daily basis this may include testing of different properties of materials under development or helping to design new experimental protocols/procedures to optimize synthesis or characterization. Leveraging their fundamental knowledge of Chemistry they may also work in government within interdisciplinary groups, in science policy, or may pursue science communication.
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Dulanjani Wijayasekara Ph.D.: Biology is a vast field with a lot of opportunities. The highest paying jobs in the field include health care, biostatisticians, data analysts, ecologists, genetic counselors, pharmacists, molecular biologists and research scientists/technicians in pharmaceutical companies. Depending on what area you would like to focus on, it would be a good idea to improve some basic skill sets that will give you an added advantage in the job market. If you are a fresh graduate many online certificate courses can be completed to give you these additional skills. You can improve upon IT skills such as biotechnology and computer literacy, research skills, and data analysis including biostatistics. You also can get some research experience by either volunteering in research labs or by gaining a master’s degree in molecular biology. This will open up many more job opportunities for you in the pharmaceutical area. Find out what career you love and work towards that by improving your skills and experience.
Susan Bjerke
Associate Professor of BiologyWashburn University of Topeka
Biological And Physical Sciences
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Susan Bjerke: Some of the skills that will be important in the next 3-5 years will be general critical thinking skills and the ability to adapt to changing technology. Almost all science fields are increasingly dependent on technology, so being able to learn new skills and change the way you do things in your job will be important. Being an effective communicator, both in writing and orally, is an overlooked skill in the sciences and is always an important asset.
What general advice would you give to a Product Development Scientist?
Dr. Peiyi Shen: - The field of food science is ever-evolving. It is very important to keep up-to-date with the latest research, technologies, and trends in both the food industry and academia. They are suggested to attend workshops, conferences, and/or pursue related certifications or advanced degrees. - Building professional relationships can open doors to more opportunities. Joining professional organizations such as the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and participating in industry events provide excellent opportunities to meet people in the same area. - They are encouraged to seek more hand-on and practical experience. For example, internships, co-op programs, and entry-level positions can provide valuable hands-on experience. This can also help you determine which area of food science you are most passionate about. - The food industry is fast-paced and can change rapidly due to the new regulations, consumer trends, and technological advancements. Being flexible and open to change is helpful.
What Product Development Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Peiyi Shen: - *Data Analysis and Computational Skills:* As big data and AI become increasingly important and popular, being proficient in data analysis, machine learning, and using software like Python can be highly valuable. - *Sustainability Practices:* Knowledge of sustainable food production, waste reduction, and environmental impact will be crucial as the industry moves towards greener practices.
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Peiyi Shen: - Focusing on specialized areas such as flavor chemistry, brewing, biotechnology, or sustainable practices can make you more valuable and less replaceable to other employers. - Obtaining a master’s degree or PhD can lead to higher-paying positions and more advanced career opportunities. - Networking can lead to job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly and can also help in negotiating better salary packages. Establishing a mentorship with experienced professionals can help provide guidance, navigate your career path, and advocate for you within the industry.
What general advice would you give to a Product Development Scientist?
Nikhilesh Chawla: Prioritize your education. Having a Bachelor’s is great but you will be able to do much more interesting work AND have a higher salary with a Master’s or PhD.
What Product Development Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nikhilesh Chawla: Make sure you are passionate about what you do. Great careers should not feel like a ‘job’. Try to learn as much as you can, be curious, and engaged. Networking with folks in your field and choosing 1-2 or mentors to help guide you would be good too.
What Product Development Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Isabelle Lagadic Ph.D.: I’ve met employers asking me if I could teach my students basic skills like “being on time”, “writing a proper email”, “clearly and carefully documenting their work”, “using critical thinking to stop a recording or an experiment when it is obvious that it is not working”. Those very basic skills that everyone takes for granted in addition of basic technical skills are going to become the most prevalent in the coming years. What’s scary is the collision between the inevitable advancement of Ai in this field and this lack of basic skills. It is difficult to train people on tomorrow’s skills if they don’t already master today’s skills.
What general advice would you give to a Product Development Scientist?
Konstantinos Vogiatzis: Chemistry is a scientific field that it stands by itself, but at the same time it offers the fundamental knowledge to other disciplines such as materials science, polymers, spectroscopy, biochemistry, and agriculture. This interdisciplinary character is pivotal for many technological applications related to medicine, environment, electronics, etc.
What Product Development Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Konstantinos Vogiatzis: The day-to-day work heavily depends on the actual position. It might include the application of analytical or spectroscopic techniques for quality control, synthesis of molecules or materials, or simply the utilization of computers for the simulation of chemical processes.
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Konstantinos Vogiatzis: It’s hard to respond to this question, since chemical technology is exciting in any aspect! The chemical elements are the alphabet of a chemist, and the decillion of different combinations between them form an enormous chemical space that needs to be explored for the discovery of new, fascinating molecular structures. Modern AI is actively helping the chemist to navigate the molecular space. Some people (like me!) dislike the laborious chemical synthesis, but for others this is the true beauty of our discipline.
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Patrick Hare: Facility with using and interpreting AI results is an obvious growing need. Many of those skills are just applied analytical and critical thinking. The trick will be to do the applying and keep them fresh. Understanding how the systems work will also be useful.
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Lindsey du Toit: Take every opportunity you can to learn, network, and build an effective team of people that bring a greater breadth and depth of skills and expertise to the work on which you will be focusing. Cultivate a life-long sense of intellectual curiosity and learning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Treat ignorance as an opportunity to learn. Questions demonstrate you want to understand the situation/problem effectively and that you are paying attention. Always demonstrate integrity in your work. It is one of the most valuable traits you can bring to your career. Be kind and supportive of your colleagues.
What Product Development Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Hecht Ph.D.: Not sure- with a solid chemistry bkg and training, graduates should be equipped to learn and adapt as needed. Soft skills are VERY important and need to be developed.
Yan Cong
Purdue University
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Yan Cong: Develop some in-demand skills such as programming or generating content from text models via prompt engineering, et cetera. Get experience and extra income via paid summer internships.
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.
InstructorUniversity of Nebraska - Omaha
Neurobiology And Neurosciences
What general advice would you give to a Product Development Scientist?
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.: Apply for the positions you want, even if you feel underqualified. I know plenty of people who have applied for jobs they didn't quite meet the requirements for, and got hired for other reasons. In my experience, many recent graduates choose to take time to strengthen their resumes by retaking classes, working jobs they don't particularly want to get experience, etc. There is some value in that, particularly if you have been unsuccessful attaining the position you want, or if you want to see if you even enjoy that type of work. But if you are confident in what you want to do, go for it; in the worst-case scenario, you are in the same position you would be if you hadn't applied, but now you have experience applying and have potentially gained a contact in the field.
What general advice would you give to a Product Development Scientist?
Arthur Cammers: Non-academic chemists, or more broadly, molecular scientists, perform and direct laboratory work to research creative ways to develop, control quality, or improve products in manufacturing, textiles, polymer/ plastics, paints/ coatings, battery, pharmaceutical, toxicology, food, material safety/ compliance to standards or environmental analysis.
Kimberlee Mix PhD
Provost Distinguished Professor of Biological SciencesLoyola University New Orleans
Biochemistry, Biophysics And Molecular Biology
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Kimberlee Mix PhD: Keep an open mind in your first position - it may involve repetitive lab work focused on a single technique or protocol. Learn as much as you can about the big picture of your project and know that you have an important part in it. Take advantage of down-time during incubations to socialize with your new colleagues and learn about their career journeys. Ask lots of questions and take good notes.
Changqing Chen Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWhat Product Development Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Changqing Chen Ph.D.: 1. A chemistry degree provides many opportunities for a wide variety of careers. Jobs can be found in big chemical or pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, small startup companies, as well as educational institutions. Sometimes, if you think outside the box, you can find other opportunities, such as some non-lab jobs (sales, technical support, consulting firms, etc.). If it is hard to find a permanent job you like, start with a temporary position, which might turn into a permanent position if your performance is excellent. 2. You do not need to match exactly what you learned in college with your job responsibilities. Be ready to apply the problem-solving skills you learned in new field/project. 3. Be curious, always eager to learn new skills/knowledge. 4. Be honest, learn from your mistakes.
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical SciencesQuinnipiac University
Microbiological Sciences And Immunology
What Product Development Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: The first and foremost would be Critical Thinking. We live in a world where facts can be easily acquired, sometimes even by asking Siri/Alexa/ChatGPT/Google/etc. But critical thinking is timeless and priceless. I can ask anyone on the street what xyz is and they can look it up, but can they provide advice or interpret.
Also being a good steward towards science and being willing and able to communicate not just with peers as we are trained, but also with the public, the politicians, the board members. John Holdren*, stated that Scientists should be tithing at least 10 percent of their time to public service ... including activism. In the ever growing science denialism that is happening in our country being able to communicate science with the public is important. As Peter Hotaz states, "Anti-science propaganda is "killing Americans in unprecedented numbers,""
*Holdren is an American scientist who served as the senior advisor to President Barack Obama on science and technology issues through his roles as assistant to the president for science and technology, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and a Research Professor in Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: Be passionate! Be curious! When I write a letter of recommendation I write a little about the obligatory "IQ" elements, how well their exam/assignment/course grade were, then I speak to their EQ, are they kind, helpful, respectful, considerate, etc. and I try to include an example of something that I witnessed regarding EQ. But the majority of the letter discussing PQ and CQ, their passion quotient and their curiosity quotient. A can write a much much better LOR for a student with high PQ and CQ than I can for one with just good grades. What have they read and what do they do in their spare time (and don't say that you can't afford a hobby, you can't afford not to have a hobby or an outlet, otherwise stress takes too much of a toll. Some of my most memorable student conversations are conversations that involved their curiosity, like a conversation about Bonnie Bassler's quorum sensing. Make sure that as you go through life you embrace Einstein's quote 'There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.'
The second piece of advice is: Know what you know, know what you don't know, be willing to admit what you don't know, and don't be afraid to ask questions, but try not to ask questions about simple things that one can easily look up as that indicates laziness rather than inquisitiveness.
The third piece of other advice would be to never give up. As "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin Coolidge
What general advice would you give to a Product Development Scientist?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: Practice both public speaking (presentations, journal clubs, research meetings) as much as possible and also practice "elevator speeches".
Do more than the minimum. Is there a conference you can present at, a journal club you can be involved in, an ASM branch or student chapter to participate in.
Sean Conry
Food Service ManagerFeather River College
Human Development, Family Studies, And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Product Development Scientist?
Sean Conry: You can maximize your salary by becoming more diversified in all areas of your field.
What Product Development Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sean Conry: Become more familiar with changes in the industry such as new software, automated food production and robotics that will be implemented in the future.
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Sean Conry: Gain as much experience as you can in the areas of the field that interest you the most.
Stephanie Clark [HS AD]
Professor EmeritaIowa State University of Science and Technology
Food Science And Technology
What general advice would you give to a Product Development Scientist?
Stephanie Clark [HS AD]: People like the field for combining science and creativity, making a positive difference, and the exciting opportunities it offers. However, the responsibility is immense as there is a potential to harm people, emphasizing the importance of food safety.
What Product Development Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephanie Clark [HS AD]: Food science will ALWAYS be a career option because people need to eat to survive. Currently, efforts are being made to meet specific consumer health, convenience, taste, and sustainability demands, requiring science and innovation.
What will help Product Development Scientists increase their earning potential?
Stephanie Clark [HS AD]: Food scientists handle food from field to fork. There are food safety specialists, food process engineers, food product developers, food processors, sensory scientists, academics, packaging scientists, etc. Tasks may include visiting facilities to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks, developing new products, working in food processing environments, teaching, conducting research, and more.