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Job outlook for senior food scientists in the United States
Are senior food scientist jobs in demand?
Senior food scientist job and salary trends over time
Senior food scientist jobs over time
Senior food scientist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,479 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,400 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,469 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,446 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,756 | 0.00% |
Average senior food scientist salary over time
Senior food scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $72,882 | $35.04 | +6.5% |
| 2025 | $68,436 | $32.90 | +5.6% |
| 2024 | $64,795 | $31.15 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $63,167 | $30.37 | --0.5% |
| 2022 | $63,455 | $30.51 | --2.9% |
Senior food scientist jobs by state
Most common states for senior food scientists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 211 | 24% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 208 | 22% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 159 | 21% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,144 | 19% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 116 | 19% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,494 | 18% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 235 | 18% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 186 | 18% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 135 | 18% |
| 10 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,496 | 17% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 100 | 17% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,093 | 16% |
| 13 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 201 | 15% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,759 | 14% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 796 | 14% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 784 | 14% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 495 | 14% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 398 | 14% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 294 | 14% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 148 | 14% |
Most common cities for senior food scientists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence | 1 | 3% | $53,012 |
| 2 | Wichita | 1 | 0% | $64,989 |
Senior Food Scientist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior food scientist experts
Earlham College
SUNY Stony Brook
Washburn University of Topeka
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Northwestern University
Santa Fe College
Washington State University
Purdue University
University of Pittsburgh
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Western Washington University
Quinnipiac University
Feather River College
Camellia Okpodu
What Senior Food Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Camellia Okpodu: My advise would be to continue to network by joining affiliated associations in botany and Keep learning, stay updated on research, and explore new areas.
Mr. Brian Zimmerman III
Assistant Vice President of Strategic CommunicationsEarlham College
Drama/Theatre Arts And Stagecraft
What general advice would you give to a Senior Food Scientist?
Mr. Brian Zimmerman III: Apply, interview, and negotiate! The landscape of science is a competitive one - both for biologists and their employers. Many graduates, particularly ones who hold identities that have been historically excluded from science, tend to apply for job opportunities only if they perfectly fit the advert description. This is actually not a great strategy! Having been on the academic job market recently, I learned that job adverts tend to describe the absolute perfect candidate; employers know that person does not exist and are shooting for the moon with their adverts. If you have any of the skills, qualifications, or experiences that are mentioned or are related to a particular job advert, then apply for it! When interviewing, it's also important to take ownership of the identity you want to have; visualize yourself as, for example, a lab manager looking for their institution rather than a recent undergraduate looking for their first job. The transformation into a professional scientist begins with your mindset, as this will influence your behavior. Plus, it's easier to advocate and negotiate for yourself if you view your interviews and application through the lens of discerning if this employer has what you need to be successful, rather than the framing of hoping you're "good enough" to work there. This is all to say that once you land the interview and you've decided the employer has what you need to be successful, do not be afraid to negotiate creatively! Do some research on the cost of living of the town and the average wages for the position in that area or in an area where the cost of living is similar. When you negotiate, you can ask for more than salary - inquire about benefits, childcare, immigration/visa support, retirement contributions and matching, career development opportunities or stipends, remote work, etc. Even if you're unable to negotiate a higher salary, there are other benefits that you can leverage to make that money go farther or prepare you for a promotion earlier in your career. Additionally, if you are able, do not be afraid to apply for other jobs and share your better offers with your current employer to see if they can match or beat the competing offer. As you grow in your career, you may outgrow your current employer - and that's okay; it's an opportunity to find a new place that recognizes your increased value! At the end of the day, chances are that you are worth more than what you're currently being paid, so do not be afraid to ask questions to position yourself for success!
What Senior Food Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mr. Brian Zimmerman III: An emerging trend in my particular field is deep-sequencing or "big data" analysis. Many techniques that investigate the identities, regulation, and networks of biological molecules are high-throughput, meaning they generate huge quantities of data that require specialized programs and training to analyze. Developing a background in bioinformatics, data literacy, programming, or computer science will definitely make a student highly marketable and sought after when on the job market. There are several online and in-person courses, workshops, and webinars to learn about these techniques and the accompanying data analysis; I encourage recent graduates or soon-to-be graduates to explore these opportunities as these skills are transferrable to several disciplines and career paths.
What Senior Food Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ross Weatherman Ph.D.: Being able to communicate effectively, whether it is in-person or remotely, is still probably the most important skill for any graduate, but as more work is being split up among sites, the ability to add value to those more delocalized work environments is really important. Also, the ability to handle big data sets and the awareness of how best to visualize and explain these types of large data sets will become more important.
What Senior Food Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Vitaly Citovsky: Advanced degrees, bioinformatics, hi-tech research (synthetic biology), but classical molecular biology and genetics and biochemistry skills will remain critical
What will help Senior Food Scientists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Vitaly Citovsky: Multi-prong advice: try to get a higher degree, look for jobs that you enjoy (e.g., research, patient care) rather than chase the money.
Susan Bjerke
Associate Professor of BiologyWashburn University of Topeka
Biological And Physical Sciences
What will help Senior Food 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 Senior Food Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Qing Li: AI will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years but laboratory experiments will continue to make new discoveries.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Food 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 Senior Food 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 Senior Food 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 Senior Food Scientist?
Nathaniel Stern: To answer this question we need to be clear what field the graduate intends to continue in. If they want to continue in Physics as a “field”, then they will most likely need to go to graduate school in Physics, Astronomy, or a related field. There are many opportunities for graduates with majors in Physics, but many of these are in different fields. Physics majors excel in these other opportunities, but in order to do “physics”, meaning studying the science of matter and energy, one generally goes to graduate school. If this is the graduate’s plan, then the advice is to be passionate about the research topic that you choose. One does not need to know ahead of time that a particular direction of research is the best possible direction for them, but they should have interest in it. Research often involves small academic questions, and if one doesn’t find these interesting then it can be a bit of a slog. More generally, advice matches other career paths, however: do something that you love, and also choose impactful problems. Even if your own work is a small part of the whole, if you can see the impact of the field it can be exciting all the time. If the graduate is not going to graduate school in Physics or a related subject, then they are likely entering a technical career such as engineering, finance, education, data science, or consulting. Physics is a great basic training for whatever direction someone takes since it trains you to think and problem solve, especially in reducing a problem to its core questions (as opposed to building encyclopedic knowledge of relevant facts). But, whatever specific career path a graduate takes will likely bring more specialized methods, knowledge, and applications. Physics is a great starting point, but future endeavors will broaden thinking to new challenges outside of the rigid rules of physical laws. So, graduates should be willing to, and excited to, adapt to new cultures.
What Senior Food Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nathaniel Stern: Computational and programming skills are always useful in many fields. This will continue, since much of physics is highly specialized and benefits from new advances. Writing and speaking will continue to matter. High quality communication brings success and recognition to one’s technical work. As one proceeds deeper into scientific career, this communication becomes more important, not less. New technologies change the mode of communication, but they do not replace the natural and learned skills that make one effective at communicating with and convincing other.
What will help Senior Food Scientists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Michael Marchetti: I think that in the next few years, it will be important to have some wide range of skills across a diversity of sub-disciplines. For example, GIS (geographic information skills), R statistical programming language, modern genetic and genomic techniques, computer programming skills etc. Again, it seems that hard and fast borders/walls separating disciplinary fields are breaking down as our knowledge of the larger biological world expands.
Luz Garcini PhD, MPH
Assistant ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Senior Food Scientist?
Luz Garcini PhD, MPH: Find a purpose and a meaning in their work and be open to learning from interdisciplinary fields.
What will help Senior Food Scientists increase their earning potential?
Kristopher Koudelka Ph.D.: Always keep learning. These fields change fast! The leading edge is always unveiling new information that can be applied to the area you are working on, and there will be new techniques developed that allow you to answer questions in more efficient ways. You must learn to regularly update yourself through conversations, reading, conferences, and trainings. This change is fun and exciting, embrace it. It will keep your job feeling new.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Food Scientist?
Jeff Heslep: Find a starting job that gives you a wide range of work to perform. The more experience you can gain during the first few years will help you to hone your skills, decide what areas interest you the most, and give you the opportunity to choose. Learn as much as you can about the various equipment, analytical techniques, processes, and how to troubleshoot minor problems. Take the initiative and ask to learn how to use instruments you aren't familiar with. It is unlikely someone will deny you the opportunity to broaden your knowledge. Take every chance you have to network and get to know the people within your local biotechnology industry. Networking plays a major role in employment opportunities. Work on your written and verbal communication skills. Communicating well will help you stand out. Being able to effectively convey complex scientific concepts in such a way that anyone can understand it can be a powerful skill.
What will help Senior Food 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.
Yan Cong
Purdue University
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What will help Senior Food 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.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Food Scientist?
Arjumand Ghazi Ph. D: Don’t hesitate to experiment with different career options before settling for one where you enjoy the work and make a good living.
What will help Senior Food Scientists increase their earning potential?
Arjumand Ghazi Ph. D: Having an advanced degree such as a PhD and even a few years postdoc is a good way to start at a higher level. It often allows one to make up for the reduced earnings during the training periods while increasing long-term earnings.
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.
InstructorUniversity of Nebraska - Omaha
Neurobiology And Neurosciences
What will help Senior Food Scientists increase their earning potential?
Andrew Riquier Ph.D.: Carve out a niche, and do things that make you stand out and be valuable in that space. For example, if you are inclined towards research, you can try and increase your publication count by volunteering or getting a job in a laboratory. Apply for any grants or fellowships that you can. This will increase your chances of getting hired at a higher salary in the future. If you want to teach, you can start by volunteering to guest lecture, adjunct some classes, create a new class that is all your own, present at teaching conferences, do analytics on your students to show how effective you are, etc. It is all about knowing what your field values and what makes people stand out.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Food Scientist?
David Barker: The question of maximizing salary potential is a difficult one. My personal feeling is that there is a risk: reward tradeoff in biomedical sciences, where careers in industry carry some of the best salaries, but also the greatest risk for long-term instability. In contrast, careers in academia traditionally carry lower salaries, but somewhat greater stability. I suppose this means that the best opportunity for salary potential is to not be afraid to take risks by working for a promising startup where you are highly valued, and where you may have the opportunity for vested stock options or other perks that can eventually transform into large returns. Knowing the risk associated with these companies, a smart graduate will enter these companies and work hard, to support the success of the company and to make themselves indispensable.
What will help Senior Food Scientists increase their earning potential?
David Barker: Science as a whole is becoming more multidisciplinary. For this reason, the individuals who thrive are those who develop hybrid skill sets that increase their value to the field, while also allowing flexibility in their career choices. One great example of this are students who are well versed in one of the '-omics' (e.g., proteomics or genomics) and computer programming for analyzing large datasets.
What Senior Food Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Josh Kaplan Ph.D.: Demonstrating a skill set that is unique, such as experience with a rare technical research approach, or demonstrating that you can save your employer money by utilizing free resources, can be used to negotiate a higher salary.
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical SciencesQuinnipiac University
Microbiological Sciences And Immunology
What Senior Food 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
Sean Conry
Food Service ManagerFeather River College
Human Development, Family Studies, And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Food Scientist?
Sean Conry: You can maximize your salary by becoming more diversified in all areas of your field.
What Senior Food 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 Senior Food 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.