SOC 19-1012
Food Scientists and Technologists
Risk Score
⚠️41/100
Elevated
US Employment
👥14,370
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$85K
$50K – $142K
Projected Growth
📈+6.5%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖78/100
High exposure
💡 Food Scientists and Technologists face a risk score of 41/100 — 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 →
💡 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 →
🔍 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 →
⚠️ 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
🛡️ 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
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 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% |