Career Opportunities

The M.S. in Food Science offers students numerous opportunities for hands-on, real-world careers in applied science and technology.  Potential employers include food product manufacturers, along with other companies providing services related to institutional feeding or supplying ingredients, processing equipment, and packaging materials. Technical and administrative positions are also available in various government agencies and with independent testing laboratories.

With a Master of Science degree, food science graduates start with an average salary of $55,000 with significant increases likely in just a few years (Source: Food Technology Magazine February 2006, Volume 60).

Food scientists are needed in the areas of:

• Food quality assessment and management
• Food processing and engineering
• Food product research and development
• Marketing and distribution
• Technical sales and support

Students with an interest in teaching and research will also find rewarding career opportunities in educational institutions upon completion of their master’s degree or after completion of a Ph.D. program.  There are also research opportunities in government and institutional research laboratories.

To learn more about professional food science activities, visit the Institute for Food Technologists’ website at http://www.ift.org.