CHICAGO – The Institute for Food Technologists (IFT) has released its 2022 Compensation and Career Path Report, which examines compensation, job satisfaction, workplace challenges and overall career trends in food science. This invaluable tool is an essential resource for science of food professionals, HR/DEI leaders in food and food technology companies, as well as food science professors and students.

The result of two independent surveys distributed to approximately 30,000 global IFT members and allied companies, the Report outlines the successes and struggles of science of food professionals today. Key pain points according to survey respondents include lack of supportive management, career development barriers, work/life balance challenges, unsatisfactory salary/benefits and level of job stress.

However, the science of food profession has shown progress in its diversification – Latinx respondents nearly doubled from the previous 2019 survey and non-white professionals now account for one-third of the respondents – and compensation with salaries reaching a 20-year high. Despite this growth, approximately one-quarter of total respondents indicated they have pursued job changes in the last 24 months.

“We have seen the science of food make tremendous progress in areas such as diversification, but as our survey respondents shared, there is still a lot of work to do in areas such as gender pay equality. The survey shows that employees want professional development, as well as fair and equal compensation,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “This Report is a step in the right direction, providing a roadmap to success that can benefit both veteran and novice professionals in academia, industry, government, and consulting as we connect the global food system and unite to promote and advance the science of food.”

To download the Report, go to IFT Salary Surveys.

The cost is $179 but it is free for IFT Premier Members and IFT Student Members, while other IFT membership levels can purchase the Report at a discount. To learn more about becoming a member of IFT, go to IFT Membership.

About Institute of Food Technologists

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of approximately 12,000 individual members from more than 100 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow and advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutrition and accessible to all.

Media Contact

Dennis Van Milligen
Senior Manager, Public and Media Relations
Institute for Food Technologists
312-782-8424
[email protected]

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