July 03, 2024

Salary Slowdown

IFT’s 2024 research report reveals a slight decline in median salaries, an emerging emphasis on salary transparency, and evolving workplace demographics for U.S. science of food professionals.

Mary Ellen Kuhn

Food Technology Magazine

Key Takeaway 1

IFT’s compensation research shows a 2.5% median salary decline to $107,300.
Key Takeaway 2

Salary transparency is leveling the playing field for candidates, allowing them to negotiate more effectively.
Key Takeaway 3

Employers seek candidates with skills in business, supply chain, and transformational thinking and prefer to steer clear of those who change jobs frequently.

After surging by nearly 16% in the 2022 IFT Compensation and Career Path Report research, salaries have dipped slightly, according to a new IFT study. In the 2024 research report (surveys were conducted in late 2023), median compensation for U.S. science of food professionals was $107,300, down 2.5% from 2022’s $110,000 median.

With nationwide unemployment below 4%, the job market is still strong. For many science of food positions, however, salary growth has stabilized since the red-hot period following the COVID-19 pandemic when employers struggled to fill positions, according to recruiters who spoke with Food Technology.

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Authors

Mary Ellen Kuhn Executive Editor

Mary Ellen Kuhn, executive editor and assistant director of publications, oversees the editorial content of Food Technology magazine.