We used the latest data and insights to identify the highest paying jobs for food science majors so that you can learn and earn more.
If you’re a food science major, you know you’re in the right place. You’re fascinated by how the chemistry of food works and how that chemistry impacts the way we eat.
But did you know that food science majors are some of the highest-paid college graduates? It’s no wonder that many food science graduates become chefs, nutritionists, and other types of food scientists.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about 10 jobs for food science majors. Each one will give you an opportunity to apply your knowledge in a new way and make an impact on the world.
Here is a video summary based on this article
Table of Contents
#10. Chef
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $26,000 per year
- High Range: $69,000 per year
- Median Pay: $42,093 per year
What do they do?
Chefs are the people who make your favorite meals. They use their knowledge of ingredients, cooking techniques, and food safety to create delicious dishes.
In addition to working in restaurants and catering companies, chefs also work for schools that serve lunches or dinners to students.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most chefs have a minimum of an associate’s degree in a culinary program. They also need experience working in a restaurant or other kitchen environments. However, many chefs start out as apprentices and work their way up the ladder.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Employers include:
- Restaurants and catering companies
- Schools with lunch programs
- Large corporations that provide in-house dining services
What is the best way to get this job?
One way to get this chef job is through a culinary school program. You can also work your way up from an entry-level position as an apprentice or cook.
When you’re ready to apply for a chef position, it’s important to have a resume highlighting your skills and experience. You may also want to include any certificates or licenses you hold.
In addition, be sure to research the company where you want to work so that you can highlight relevant experience in your application materials.
What’s it like to be a chef?
#9. Nutritionist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $35,000 per year
- High Range: $78,000 per year
- Median Pay: $49,081 per year
What do they do?
The term nutritionist describes various professionals, including registered dietitians and nutrition consultants.
These professionals help people make healthy food choices and provide advice on what to eat. This can include everything from advising people who have eating disorders to helping athletes or bodybuilders find the right diet for their needs.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most nutritionists have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics. This can be followed by a master’s degree or doctorate, depending on whether you want to work in academia or clinical practice.
Employers prefer experienced professionals, so it’s good to have some work experience before you apply. Nutritionists register with a professional body or association.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Hospitals, clinics, and private doctors’ offices are all good places to find jobs as a nutritionist. Specialized hospitals may have their own department of nutritional medicine, or you could find work in a general hospital that offers dietary advice as part of its range of services.
What is the best way to get this job?
Most people get a job as a nutritionist by applying directly to employers. You could also look for jobs through recruitment agencies or on the internet. Recruitment agencies often have contacts within the healthcare industry and can help you find work in this field.
Should you become a nutritionist?
#8. Food Production Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $38,000 per year
- High Range: $82,000 per year
- Median Pay: $55,434 per year
What do they do?
Food production managers oversee the entire process of producing food. They ensure that their company meets all federal, state, and local regulations for safety, sanitation, and environmental protection. They also monitor their employees’ performance to ensure everyone stays safe on the job.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
These production managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in food science, business management, or a related field. They should also have some experience in the food industry, such as working as an assistant manager or supervisor.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Many companies hire production managers, including food manufacturers, supermarkets, and restaurants. These professionals work in various environments, including manufacturing plants and warehouses.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can get a job as a production manager by working your way up the ranks at an organization in the food industry. You should start out as a clerk, then move on to become an assistant manager or supervisor. After that, you can apply for more senior roles like production manager.
What’s it like to be a food production manager?
#7. Food Microbiologist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $18,500 per year
- High Range: $134,000 per year
- Median Pay: $56,444 per year
What do they do?
Food microbiologists study how microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeast, affect food. They also study the safety and quality of raw materials used in the production of foods. Microbiologists may work with other specialists to ensure that food products are safe to eat.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A bachelor’s degree in microbiology or food science is common, along with coursework in chemistry and biology. Additional training may be required for some jobs in the field. For example, many employers prefer candidates who have earned a master’s degree or Ph.D.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Microbiologists are employed in pharmaceutical companies, government labs, and academic institutions. They may also be self-employed as consultants or researchers.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can earn a microbiology or food science degree to begin your career. Then, look for entry-level positions at companies that sell food or pharmaceutical products. You can gain experience by volunteering at a lab or working as an intern.
Should you become a food microbiologist?
#6. Food Technologist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $35,000 per year
- High Range: $95,000 per year
- Median Pay: $57,474 per year
What do they do?
Food technologists are the scientists who develop, test, and implement new food products. They also manage production facilities and conduct scientific research to improve the quality of existing products.
These food scientists work in food production and processing, ensuring food is safe for consumption. They also help companies determine how to get their products on store shelves.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Food technologists typically need a bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition, or engineering. They may also need to complete an internship with a food company to gain experience before entering the workforce.
However, some employers may hire candidates with associate degrees in chemistry, biology, or related fields. Skills needed for this job include:
- Strong science and math skills
- Knowledge of food processing methods, including freezing, canning, drying, etc.
- Ability to work well in a team environment
Who’s hiring for this job?
The food industry, including restaurants and grocery stores, is one of the largest employers of food technologists. Other employers include:
- Food manufacturing companies
- Food distributors
- Multiple food businesses
- Agricultural research centers
- Nonprofit organizations
What is the best way to get this job?
You can get a job as a food technologist by:
- Studying food science or nutrition in a community college.
- Taking classes in chemistry, biology, microbiology, and statistics.
- Applying for entry-level positions at food processing companies
What’s it like to be a food technologist?
#5. Food Research Scientist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Salary.com
- Low Range: $51,296 per year
- High Range: $80,163 per year
- Median Pay: $64,440 per year
What do they do?
The food research scientist is a specialist in food science, which involves the scientific analysis of food and its components.
The job of the food researcher is to understand how the components of food interact with each other and with humans. For example, a food research scientist might study why some foods spoil more quickly than others or what makes some people allergic to certain foods.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field is usually needed to work as a food research scientist. A master’s degree may be required for some jobs. In addition, most employers prefer candidates with experience working in the food industry or scientific research.
Who’s hiring for this job?
The food industry is very competitive and has many job openings. Some of the top employers of food research scientists include:
- Food companies—These companies design, manufacture and sell products sold in grocery stores worldwide. Their main focus is on creating new products that consumers want to buy.
- Retailers—Retailers such as Walmart or Target hire food research scientists to help them figure out what types of foods people want to buy at their stores.
What is the best way to get this job?
There are many different ways to get this job, but earning a bachelor’s degree in food science is the most common.
You can also get this position with experience working in a lab or at a food company where you develop new products. Another option is to earn an advanced degree in agricultural engineering or biochemistry.
What’s it like to be a food research scientist?
#4. Packaging Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $58,000 per year
- High Range: $145,000 per year
- Median Pay: $91,167 per year
What do they do?
Packaging managers are in charge of the packaging processes for products. They manage the design, development, and implementation of packaging materials and systems.
Packaging managers also work with marketing and sales teams to determine package requirements.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most packaging managers have at least a high school diploma and some post-secondary education. Employers prefer a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or industrial engineering. Many employers also look for candidates with experience in the packaging industry.
Who’s hiring for this job?
In the food industry, packaging managers are usually employed by food manufacturers. They may also work for retailers or distributors of packaged goods. Packaging managers can also find jobs in healthcare and consumer-goods companies.
What is the best way to get this job?
The easiest way to find a job as a packaging manager is by networking. You can meet people at industry events and conventions or through your local trade association.
You could also try searching for openings on websites such as Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn, and SimplyHired.
What’s it like to be a packaging manager?
#3. Food Engineer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Comparably
- Low Range: $19,114 per year
- High Range: $509,998 per year
- Median Pay: $91,650 per year
What do they do?
Food engineers are responsible for developing new food products and improving the quality of existing ones.
They do this by working with scientists, chemists, and other engineers to analyze ingredients, develop processes to make them safe for consumption, and test how they behave under different conditions.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most food engineers have bachelor’s degrees in food science, technology, or engineering. They then complete an internship and gain experience in a food processing company or another related industry. A master’s degree may be required for some jobs in this field.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Food companies are hiring food engineers to help develop products that meet the needs of consumers. Government agencies or universities may also employ them.
What is the best way to get this job?
To get a job as a food engineer, you should have at least two years of experience in the food industry and a bachelor’s degree. You can find opportunities on job boards and through networking with people who work in the field.
Should you become a food engineer?
#2. Marketing Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Salary.com
- Low Range: $86,942 per year
- High Range: $145,643 per year
- Median Pay: $113,582 per year
What do they do?
Marketing managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing a company’s marketing efforts. They direct the development and implementation of strategies that help create brand awareness and increase sales.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A bachelor’s degree in marketing or business management is the most common path for marketing managers. You can also get a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing.
In addition to your degree, you should have experience working in marketing or sales roles. Additional coursework in food technology can be helpful.
Who’s hiring for this job?
In food science, companies that develop food products are the biggest employers. Food manufacturers, restaurants, and grocery stores also hire marketing managers to help promote their brands.
What is the best way to get this job?
To become a marketing manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and some work experience in the field. After earning your degree, look for an internship with a company that makes food products.
You can also try to get an entry-level position at an advertising agency or public relations firm. Once you have some experience under your belt, apply for jobs as a marketing manager at companies that make food products.
Should you become a marketing manager?
#1. Quality Assurance Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Salary.com
- Low Range: $93,980 per year
- High Range: $152,206 per year
- Median Pay: $119,616 per year
What do they do?
A quality assurance manager oversees the development and implementation of a company’s quality assurance program. They work with other departments to make sure that products meet customer expectations. These food scientists also monitor production processes to ensure they stay within certain standards.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A quality assurance manager should have a bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field. Some employers also require a master’s degree. You may need to take courses in food safety and quality control as part of your education.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Food science companies and manufacturers are the most common employers of quality assurance managers. You can also find job openings at government agencies that regulate food safety, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What is the best way to get this job?
You can start by getting a bachelor’s degree in food science. After that, you should get experience in the field by working as a food scientist or quality control inspector. Once you have that, you can apply for a quality assurance manager position with a company that makes food products.
What’s it like to be a quality assurance manager?
Conclusion
Now that you know the highest-paying food science jobs, you can use this information to make an informed decision about your future. You can also use it to help you focus on the skills and knowledge you need to develop to get a job in the industry.
Whether you’re just starting out or have been working in food science for years, it’s good to remember that you should always learn and improve your skills.
The best way to decide if any of these jobs are right for you is by doing some research and talking with professionals who already work in the industry. The more familiar you are with all aspects of your potential career path before making a decision, the better off you’ll be.
