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Agricultural and Food Scientists

SOC: 19-1010 • Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics & O*NET
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What They Do

Agricultural and Food Scientists typically perform the following tasks: • Place products in containers according to grade and mark grades on containers. • Weigh products or estimate their weight, visually or by feel. • Discard inferior or defective products or foreign matter, and place acceptable products in containers for further processing. • Grade and sort products according to factors such as color, species, length, width, appearance, feel, smell, and quality to ensure correct processing and usage. • Record grade or identification numbers on tags or on shipping, receiving, or sales sheets.

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Key facts

Median: $78,770
Employment: 38,700
Growth (2024–2034): +6.0%
Education: Bachelor's degree
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Intelligence Metrics

Automation Risk Assessment

Low Risk
8.0% probability of being automated in the next 10-20 years. This job is relatively safe from automation due to its creative, social, or complex problem-solving requirements.

Work-Life Balance Score

7.5/10
Good work-life balance based on typical work schedules, stress levels, and time demands.

Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)

6.2
Realistic
9.4
Investigative
5.6
Artistic
6.4
Social
4.8
Enterprising
6.4
Conventional
Powered by O*NET Career Profiling

Personality Match: The higher the score (out of 10), the better this career matches that personality type. People with similar interests and work styles tend to be most satisfied in careers that match their personality profile.

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Top Skills

Communication skills Critical-thinking skills Data-analysis skills Math skills Detail-oriented skills

Strengths

  • High Demand
  • Flexible Work
  • Continuous Learning

Challenges

  • Burnout Risk
  • Rapid Technological Change

Median Salary Comparison

Employment projection (2024–2034)

Geographic Employment & Wage Analysis

BLS OEWS Data Updated 2024-05
View Interactive BLS Maps

States with Highest Employment

  • California 54,350
  • Massachusetts 36,180
  • Texas 20,960
  • Pennsylvania 17,850
  • Maryland 16,700
  • New York 16,600
  • Washington 15,550
  • New Jersey 12,200
  • North Carolina 11,730
  • Florida 11,520
BLS OEWS data (2024-05)

Regional Wage Variations

  • California +49%
    $117,512
  • Massachusetts +58%
    $124,304
  • Texas -2%
    $77,059
  • Pennsylvania +18%
    $93,335
  • Maryland +32%
    $103,813
  • New York +10%
    $86,714
  • Washington +19%
    $94,062
  • New Jersey +42%
    $111,828
  • Florida 3%
    $81,506
  • Minnesota 3%
    $81,185
BLS OEWS state wage data
Top Metropolitan Areas
New York-Newark-Jersey City
Employment: High Growth: +3.2%
Los Angeles-Long Beach
Employment: High Growth: +2.8%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Employment: Medium Growth: +1.5%
Dallas-Fort Worth
Employment: Medium Growth: +4.1%
San Francisco-Oakland
Employment: High Growth: +2.3%
Based on BLS metropolitan area data
Industries with Highest Concentrations
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
85%
Food manufacturing
70%
Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals
55%
Regional Job Market Outlook
Strong
West Coast
Stable
Northeast
Growing
South