What Kind of Income Can You Make in Science of Food Fields?

Food scientists typically earn salaries competitive with other science and engineering degrees. Most have successfully found a job or earned admission to graduate school months after graduation.

According to IFT’s 2017 Employment & Salary Survey Report, the median salary for professionals working in the science of food is $92,000. Food science graduates entering the field received a median salary starting at $50,000.

Below is a sampling of science of food career titles and their average salaries. 

Food Science: Making Food Fun

IFT and Disney Consumer Products (DCP) partnered to raise the visibility of food science careers and the innovative potential of the profession to develop healthy and nutritious foods. Check out what a food scientist does at Disney.

Amy DeJong & Maya Warren: Ph.D. Students in Food Science

IFT Student Association members Amy DeLong and Maya Warren show us what life is like for Ph.D. students in food science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.                                                                                                         

Cory Bryant: FDA and Food Safety

IFT member Cory Bryant, Ph.D., CFS, shows us how the USFDA works with other countries to improve food safety so that future generations have access to a safe and abundant global food supply.

Fu-hung Hseih: Food Science Professor

University of Missouri Professor Fu-hung Hseih, Ph.D., CFS, talks about his work developing a soy-based food product that is sold in grocery stores nationwide and why he enjoys being a food scientist.

Brian Thane: Food Packaging Professional

IFT member Brian Thane, Director of Aseptic Technology at Tetra Park, talks about providing aseptic packaging to 170 countries, the interesting and rewarding aspects of his job, and how it contributes to the food science profession.                                                                                                                         

Michele Perchonok: Former Food Scientist at NASA

Follow IFT member Michele Perchonok, former Advanced Food Technology Manager at NASA, and members of the food science team as they guide us through their work in the Space Food Systems Laboratory and describe their role in conceptualizing and preparing food for successful missions in space.