Food scientists and technologists
SOC Code: 19-1012
Food scientists and technologists carries a 34% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $85,310 and +6.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 15,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Food scientists and technologists (SOC 19-1012) carries an AI exposure score of 34%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 15,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +6.5% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $85,310, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Food scientists and technologists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
- 2. Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
- 3. Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.
- 4. Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications.
- 5. Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
- 6. Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
- 7. Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
- 8. Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
- 9. Develop new food items for production, based on consumer feedback.
- 10. Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- Food Production
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Biology
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Food scientists and technologists?
Food scientists and technologists has an AI exposure score of 34%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Food scientists and technologists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Food scientists and technologists is projected to grow by 6.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 15,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Food scientists and technologists?
Key skills for Food scientists and technologists include Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Food scientists and technologists earn?
The median annual wage for Food scientists and technologists is $85,310, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Food scientists and technologists?
The typical entry-level education for Food scientists and technologists is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Food scientists and technologists?
Food scientists and technologists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).