by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you interested in coming up with new foods and flavors? Have you ever wondered why some foods are healthy while others aren't? You may be interested in a career in Food Science Technology.
Food Scientists know everything about food from growing and packaging to manufacturing, distributing, and eventually eating. Food Science Technology majors take classes in biology, chemistry, human physiology, and nutrition to understand agricultural products processing, food additives, food preparation and packaging, storage and shipment. Students also learn how food relates to human health and safety issues surrounding types of fertilizers and other chemicals.
While students have the option to major in Food Science in general, there is the option to specialize on the production process by studying Food Technology and Processing.
Studying Food Science Technology covers Food Science And Technology. Read on to learn the key facts every food science technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering food science technology programs.
Nationwide, food science technology draws strong interest, with 2,269 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Food Science Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 127 schools to determine the best overall colleges for food science technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of food science technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Food Science Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations food science technology graduates commonly enter.
Successful food scientists are detail oriented and enjoy collecting and analyzing data. Some of their tasks may include testing food for nutrition and safety or engineering a new crop, so precision is important. Analytical and critical thinking will allow for advancement in this field. Strong science skills, especially in biology and chemistry, are also necessary.
Unlike many careers in agriculture, a career in Food Science Technology will typically have an average 40-hour workweek. Most graduates find work in laboratories, research offices, and in processing plants, which have typical work hours.
Although it is not necessary, an internship in Food Science Technology would be helpful. This will give you the opportunity to work with an established food scientist and experience gathering and analyzing data. It also allows the opportunity to experience the field and decide if this is the right career path.
Skills developed in a food science technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a food science technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several food science technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 72 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 112 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,124 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 779 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 177 |
People currently working in careers related to food science technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 23.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 19.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.2% |
| Some college courses | 8.9% |
| Master’s degree | 8.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in food science technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Typically, Food Science majors work in research labs or in processing plants. Many students find themselves working for colleges, universities, and professional schools in their labs. Since this is a wide major, there are many career options available to graduates. You will be equipped with extensive knowledge on the chemical makeup of food and how it relates to human nutrition. This opens the possibility of working for both the public and private sector, testing, creating and processing various types of foods.
A degree in food science technology prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to food science technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to food science technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Food Batchmakers | 383,602 | -3.6% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 172,528 | 3.7% |
| Food Science Technicians | 135,157 | 7.3% |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 132,731 | -4.5% |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | 76,219 | -4.2% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of food science technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,828 |
| 4 years | $59,662 |
| 5 years | $68,842 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for food science technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers food science technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Science Technicians | $100,898 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $59,587 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $55,930 |
| Food Batchmakers | $55,617 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $33,975 |
With 127 different food science technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased food science technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in food science technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Food Science | 1,581 |
| Viticulture and Enology | 268 |
| Food Science and Technology, Other | 132 |
| Brewing Science | 118 |
| Food Technology and Processing | 96 |
| Zymology/Fermentation Science | 74 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 9,051 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 8,612 |
| Animal Sciences | 8,295 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | 4,164 |
| Veterinary Medicine | 3,756 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 3,608 |
| Agriculture, General | 3,276 |
| Plant Sciences | 3,261 |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services | 1,424 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 1,378 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
