SOC 19-1012
Food Scientists and Technologists
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ41/100
Elevated
US Employment
๐ฅ14,370
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$85K
$50K โ $142K
Projected Growth
๐+6.5%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค78/100
High exposure
๐ก Food Scientists and Technologists face a risk score of 41/100 โ 3 points below the national average of 44. With 78/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite strong projected growth. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $85K ($39K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 41/100, Food Scientists and Technologists faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like ai-accelerated data analysis and pattern recognition are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 14,370 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in collaborative scientific discourse and peer review and designing novel experiments and research methodologies to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Food Scientists and Technologists?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
AI-accelerated data analysis and pattern recognition
Robotic sample preparation and experimentation
AI-generated written content replacing manual drafting
Automated laboratory instrumentation and workflows
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Collaborative scientific discourse and peer review
Designing novel experiments and research methodologies
Interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise
Fieldwork in unstructured natural environments
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
๐ป Technology Skills
Analytical or scientific software
Sales and marketing software
Web platform development software
Data base user interface and query software
Spreadsheet software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
Biology
Chemistry
Production and Processing
English Language
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 13 | $226K | 61% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers | 21 | $93K | 70% |
| Political Scientists | 25 | $139K | 77% |