Food Science

Professional Opportunities

What and Where are the Career Opportunities in Food Science?

The food industry is the world’s largest industry. The multi-billion dollar food industry employs many thousands of food scientists each year. The food products you see on the grocery shelves were all designed by food scientists! Graduates are employed by food and related industries, federal and state governments, and universities to work at the interface between the production and delivery of food. There are more positions available for food scientists in the food industry and with governmental agencies, than graduates to fill them.
There are a variety of career opportunities for food scientists. Median starting salary is $42,500. Graduates with a bachelor's of science degree in food science may work in product development, basic and applied research, quality control, food safety, production supervision, technical sales or food inspection. Students also receive appropriate training for pursuit of graduate education in food science or related fields. Our graduates hold a variety of interesting jobs in the food industry.

Examples of some of the world’s largest food companies:

• Phillip Morris Co. Inc.
• Pepsico Inc.
• Coca-Cola Inc.
• ConAgra Inc. 
• Anheuser-Busch Co. Inc.
• Sara Lee Corp.
• H.J. Heinz Co.
• Nabisco Inc.
• Campbell Soup Co.
• Kellogg Co.
• Tyson Foods Inc.
• General Mills
• Quaker Oats Co.
• Proctor & Gamble
• Hershey Foods
• Dole Foods Co.

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