Agricultural and Food Scientists

Summary

What Agricultural and Food Scientists Do About this section

Agricultural and food scientists may observe the production of field crops and farm animals so that they can research solutions to problems.

Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency, quality, and safety of agricultural and food production establishments.

Duties

Agricultural and food scientists typically do the following:

• Conduct research to improve the productivity and quality of field crops and farm animals
• Develop ways to increase efficiency of resources for crop production
• Create new food products and develop new and better ways to safely process, package, and deliver them
• Develop new and sustainable methods of soil and resource management
• Communicate research findings and other technical information to a variety of audiences, including scientists, food producers, and consumers
• Travel between facilities to oversee the implementation of new projects
• Ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards

Agricultural and food scientists work to maintain and expand the nation’s food supply. Some conduct research into the biological and chemical processes by which crops and livestock grow. Others study ways to improve the quality, quantity, and safety of agricultural products. In addition, they often lead teams of technicians or students who help in their research.

The following are types of agricultural and food scientists:

Animal scientists typically conduct research on livestock. With a focus on food production, these scientists explore animal genetics, nutrition, reproduction, diseases, growth, and development. They work to develop efficient ways to produce and process meat, poultry, eggs, and milk, and may crossbreed animals to improve certain characteristics. They also may advise farmers on issues that affect livestock, such as best practices for upgrading housing, lowering death rates, and increasing growth rates.

Food scientists and technologists study the basic elements of food. They analyze the nutritional content of food, discover new food sources, and research ways to make processed foods safe and healthy. Food technologists generally work in product development, applying findings from food science research to develop new or better ways of selecting, preserving, processing, packaging, and distributing food. Some food scientists use advanced analytical techniques to detect and quantify levels of contaminants in food. Other food scientists enforce government regulations, inspecting food-processing areas to ensure that they are compliant with sanitation, waste management, and food safety standards.

Plant and soil scientists work to improve crop yields and the productivity of soil through crop breeding, soil management, and controlling pests and weeds. This may include conservation of soil and selecting traits to increase adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Because plant and soil sciences are closely related to environmental science, people trained in these fields also work to ensure environmental quality and effective land use.

Agricultural and food scientists may work in a variety of locations, including food production companies, farms, processing plants, universities, pharmaceutical companies, or the federal government. They spend their time in a laboratory, where they do tests and experiments, or in the field, where they take samples or assess overall conditions. Their research often involves improvements in food quality, animal or soil health, animal safety, food and crop production, or inspection standards. Agricultural and food scientists may present their research findings in peer-reviewed journals or other publications.

Agricultural and food scientists who work in universities may write grants to various organizations to get funding for their research. They also supervise student researchers and may teach lectures related to their field of expertise. For more information on professors who teach agricultural and food science at universities, see the profile on postsecondary teachers.

Work Environment About this section

Agricultural and food scientists may work with animals.

Agricultural and food scientists held about 38,700 jobs in 2024. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up agricultural and food scientists was distributed as follows:

The largest employers of agricultural and food scientists were as follows:

Agricultural and food scientists work in laboratories, in offices, and in the field. They may spend their time studying data and reports. Fieldwork includes visits to farms or processing plants.

When visiting or working in a food or animal production facility, agricultural and food scientists must follow biosecurity measures, wear suitable clothing, and tolerate the environment associated with food production processes. This environment may include noise associated with large production machinery, hot or cold temperatures associated with food production or storage, and close proximity to animal byproducts. Agricultural and food scientists may need to wear a face mask, lab coat, gloves, eye protection, or other personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment.

Certain positions may require travel—either domestic, international, or both. The amount of travel can vary widely.

Work Schedules

Most agricultural and food scientists work full time.

How to Become an Agricultural or Food Scientist About this section

Agricultural and food scientists use data analysis skills to observe the results of their studies.

Agricultural and food scientists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in animal science, food science, plant biology, or a related field. Employers may prefer or require a master’s or doctoral degree.

Education

Undergraduate coursework for agricultural and food scientists varies by specialty, but common fields of degree include biology, physical science, and agriculture. Students may choose to major in a specific concentration within agriculture, such as animal, crop, or food science. Degrees in related sciences, such as biology, chemistry, and physics, or in a related engineering specialty also may qualify people for many agricultural science jobs. Every state has at least one land-grant college that offers agricultural science degrees. Many other colleges and universities also offer agricultural science degrees or related courses.

Many people with bachelor’s degrees in agricultural sciences find work in related jobs rather than becoming an agricultural or food scientist. For example, a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science is a useful background for farming, ranching, agricultural inspection, farm credit institutions, or other companies in the agrifood system. Combined with coursework in business, agricultural and food science could be a good background for managerial jobs in farm-related or ranch-related businesses. For more information, see the profile on farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers.

Some agricultural and food scientists earn advanced degrees, and a master’s or doctoral degree may be required for some jobs. For example, a Ph.D. may be required for some research positions in specialized topics. Advanced research topics include genetics, animal reproduction, agronomy, and biotechnology, among others. Advanced coursework also emphasizes statistical analysis and experiment design, which are important as Ph.D. candidates begin their research and work with big datasets. During graduate school, there is additional emphasis on lab work and original research, in which prospective agricultural and food scientists conduct experiments and sometimes supervise undergraduates.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some agricultural and food scientists may need a license, particularly those who plan to work in plant and soil sciences. Licensing requirements vary by state but generally include holding a bachelor’s degree with a certain number of credit hours in either plant or soil science, working under a licensed scientist for a certain number of years, and passing an exam. Licensed plant and soil scientists may require additional education credits or training every few years to maintain their licenses. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. 

Certifications are generally not required for agriculture and food scientists, but they can be useful in advancing one’s career. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.

Other Experience

Internships are highly recommended for prospective agricultural and food scientists. These internships may lead to opportunities for full-time employment and provide students with hands-on experience.

Important Qualities

The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page.

Communication skills. Agricultural and food scientists must explain their studies both verbally and in writing, including what they were trying to learn, the methods they used, what they found, and what they think the implications of their findings are. They must also communicate well when working with others, including technicians and student assistants.

Critical-thinking skills. Agricultural and food scientists must use their expertise to determine the best way to answer a specific research question.

Data-analysis skills. Agricultural and food scientists collect data using a variety of methods, including quantitative surveys. They must then apply standard data analysis techniques to understand the data and get the answers to the questions they are studying.

Math skills. Agricultural and food scientists must have a sound grasp of mathematical concepts.

Detail-oriented skills. Agricultural and food scientists conduct experiments that require precise observation of samples and other data. Any mistake could lead to inconclusive or inaccurate results.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for agricultural and food scientists was $78,770 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,050, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $140,080.

Median annual wages for agricultural and food scientists in May 2024 were as follows:

In May 2024, the median annual wages for agricultural and food scientists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most agricultural and food scientists work full time.

Job Outlook About this section

Overall employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 3,100 openings for agricultural and food scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow as research into agricultural production methods and techniques continues. The need to address challenges such as increasing demand for water resources, combating pests and pathogens, and changing climate and weather patterns is expected to create jobs for these workers. Demand for agricultural products, including biofuels, is also expected to contribute to employment growth.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below goes to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Use the dropdown boxes to select an occupation.

• Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Profiles

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For information from related governmental agencies, visit

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Smithsonian Institution

U.S. Department of Agriculture

National Institutes of Health

For information about state licensing board requirements and certifications, visit CareerOneStop.

O*NET

Animal Scientists

Food Scientists and Technologists

Soil and Plant Scientists