Food Scientists and Technologists
Medium47.16%
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$48,480
Median$82,090
High (90th %)$135,430
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Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.
The occupation "Food Scientists and Technologists" carries an automation risk of 47.2%, which is slightly lower than the base risk of 48.1%. This suggests that while nearly half of the tasks in this occupation could be automated in the coming years, a significant portion will still require human expertise. The moderate automation risk arises from the mix of task types within the role: some are routine and rule-based, which are easier for machines to replicate, while others require higher-order thinking, creativity, and human interaction, which remain challenging for AI and robotics to perform satisfactorily. Among the most automatable tasks are inspecting food processing areas for compliance with regulations, checking raw ingredients and finished products for quality and safety, and developing new or improved food preservation, processing, and packaging methods. These responsibilities often involve established protocols, standardized procedures, and data collection that can be reliably handled by sensors, cameras, and pattern-recognition algorithms. As technology progresses in the fields of computer vision, machine learning, and robotic process automation, such structured tasks are increasingly likely to be performed efficiently by automated systems. Conversely, the most automation-resistant tasks involve greater social and creative skills. Demonstrating products to clients, developing new food items based on nuanced consumer feedback, and establishing comprehensive food standards and production specifications all require interpersonal communication, creativity, and complex judgment. These tasks depend on bottleneck skills like originality (with measured levels at 3.8% and 3.9%), which are difficult for AI systems to emulate due to their non-linear, context-driven nature. The necessity for innovation and the ability to gauge and respond to subtle consumer preferences ensure that the human contribution to this occupation remains invaluable, thereby limiting its overall automation potential.
Filter by Automatable Status
Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
Partially Automatable
Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
Partially Automatable
Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
Partially Automatable
Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
Partially Automatable
Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
Partially Automatable
Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations.
Partially Automatable
Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
Partially Automatable
Seek substitutes for harmful or undesirable additives, such as nitrites.
Partially Automatable
Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.
Partially Automatable
Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications.
Partially Automatable
Develop new food items for production, based on consumer feedback.
Partially Automatable
Demonstrate products to clients.
Partially Automatable
Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Therapy and CounselingAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsPhilosophy and TheologyMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationPublic Safety and Security
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking Creatively
Marketo Marketing AutomationOracle EloquaRHubSpot softwareHypertext markup language HTMLSAP softwareTableauSTATISTICAInsightful S-PLUSMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookBioDiscovery ImaGenePathogenTrackerSensory Computer Systems SIMSMicrosoft WordImage analysis softwareMarketo Marketing AutomationOracle EloquaRHubSpot softwareSAP softwareTableauSTATISTICAInsightful S-PLUSImage analysis softwareMicrosoft OutlookBioDiscovery ImaGenePathogenTrackerSensory Computer Systems SIMSMicrosoft WordHypertext markup language HTMLWord processing softwareWord processing softwareMDS Analytical Technologies GenePix ProMDS Analytical Technologies GenePix ProU.S. Department of Agriculture USDA National Nutrient DatabaseU.S. Department of Agriculture USDA National Nutrient DatabaseMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft AccessStructured query language SQLStructured query language SQL
Biofuels Production Managers
Medium54.44%
Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Medium44.96%
Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.
Agricultural Engineers
Medium43.86%
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
Chemical Engineers
Medium50.90%
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Medium45.53%
Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers.
Industrial Engineers
Medium52.84%
Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Medium50.78%
Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.
Animal Scientists
Medium49.11%
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
Soil and Plant Scientists
Medium48.11%
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
Microbiologists
Medium43.81%
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.
Chemists
Medium51.25%
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Industrial Ecologists
Medium49.08%
Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
Agricultural Technicians
Medium50.20%
Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.
Food Science Technicians
Medium63.32%
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
Chemical Technicians
Medium50.77%
Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.
Quality Control Analysts
Medium49.25%
Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.
Cooks, Restaurant
Medium34.49%
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Agricultural Inspectors
Medium43.19%
Inspect agricultural commodities, processing equipment, and facilities, and fish and logging operations, to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality, and safety.
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
High69.65%
Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
Biofuels Processing Technicians
Medium54.54%
Calculate, measure, load, mix, and process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels and monitor production process. Perform, and keep records of, plant maintenance, repairs, and safety inspections.
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Medium52.42%
Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.
Cooks, Private Household
Medium35.98%
Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.