Food Scientists and Technologists vs Microbiologists: Similar Median Pay, Different Work

Food Scientists and Technologists vs Microbiologists: what changes?

Consider Food Scientists and Technologists if you want to 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…. Consider Microbiologists if you would rather investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Food Scientists and Technologists and Microbiologists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Food Scientists and Technologists

National median pay (2025): $88,720
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 1,000

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (14,100 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Food Scientists and Technologists brief

Microbiologists

National median pay (2025): $87,990
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 1,500

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (20,100 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Microbiologists brief

How the national numbers differ

Microbiologists has the edge on annual openings

Microbiologists is at 1,500 annual openings, compared with 1,000 annual openings for Food Scientists and Technologists.

National pay benchmarks are very similar.

Compare actual offers, expected paid hours, schedule, and benefits before treating either career as the higher-paying option.

52.7/ 100

Food Scientists and Technologists

55.2/ 100

Microbiologists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Food Scientists and Technologists vs Microbiologists

Dimension	Food Scientists and Technologists	Microbiologists
Median pay (2025)	$88,720	$87,990
Pay percentile	76.7 percentile	76.6 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	6.2%	6.2%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	1,000	1,500
2025 employment	14,100	20,100
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 4	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Food Scientists and Technologists brief Read Microbiologists brief

Food Scientists and Technologists vs Microbiologists: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Food Scientists and Technologists

Microbiologists

How the national numbers differ

Microbiologists has the edge on annual openings

National pay benchmarks are very similar.

Food Scientists and Technologists vs Microbiologists

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