19-1012.00

Food Scientists and Technologists

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.

2.1OUT OF 10SAFEHIGH RISK
Low Risk

Your job is remarkably safe from AI

Safer than 16% of occupations we track

Frey & Osborne (2013) estimated 8% probability of automation for this role
paper →
16%
of jobs safer
860
jobs riskier than this
+6.5%
projected growth

Disruption Vector

Disruption Type

Hybrid Threat

Both AI software and physical automation threaten different aspects of this role, creating a compound risk from multiple directions.

Food scientists are using AI platforms like Gastrograph AI and Analytical Flavor Systems for sensory prediction, formulation optimization, and shelf-life modeling, accelerating product development cycles. Novel ingredient safety assessment, regulatory submissions to the FDA, and consumer research interpretation require human expertise. The 2025-2027 outlook is stable to positive; food industry growth and clean-label reformulation trends drive demand, with AI tools raising scientist productivity rather than eliminating positions.

Disrupted byBoston DynamicsChatGPT / GPT-4oAmazon Robotics

Salary & Job Outlook

Median Annual Pay
$85,310
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
10-Year Job Growth
+6.5%
Faster than average
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone 4 / 5

AI Risk Timeline

2.1
2.4
2.7
3.3
Today
5 Years
10 Years
20 Years

Projection model: Based on current AI capability growth rates. High-risk occupations are projected to see compounding automation pressure, while human-centric roles show slower risk accumulation. These are statistical projections, not guarantees.

Skills Analysis — AI Vulnerability

AI can replicate (0)
AI-resistant (1)
Mixed
Critical Thinking80%
Active Learning75%
Complex Problem Solving78%
Judgment and Decision Making82%
Reading Comprehension72%

Similar Safe Careers

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Food Scientists and Technologists

2.1
/ 10
Low Risk
21% automation risk

"The robots looked at your job and said 'nah, too human.'"

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FOOD SCIENTISTS AND TECHNOLOGISTS
2.1

/ 10

LOW RISK

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You're safer than 16% of all knowledge workers we track.

This analysis is for informational purposes only and is based on statistical models and academic research. It does not constitute career advice and is not a guarantee of future employment outcomes. AI impact varies significantly by employer, region, and individual circumstances. Learn about our methodology →