by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Food Technology & Processing covers Food Technology And Processing. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Chemical, Physical, And Engineering Principles To The Development And Implementation Of Manufacturing, Packaging, Storage, And Distribution Technologies And Processes For Food Products. Includes Instruction In Food Engineering, Food Preservation And Handling, Food Preparation, Food Packaging And Display, Food Storage And Shipment, And Related Equipment And Facilities Design, Operation, And Maintenance. Read on to learn the key facts every food technology & processing student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering food technology & processing programs.
Nationwide, food technology & processing is a popular field of study, with 96 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Food Technology & Processing Schools ranking analyzes these 22 schools to determine the best overall colleges for food technology & processing students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of food technology & processing programs later in this article.
Programs in Food Technology & Processing emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations food technology & processing graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a food technology & processing program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a food technology & processing major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several food technology & processing degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 17 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 20 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 42 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 12 |
People currently working in careers related to food technology & processing tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 51.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 15.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 10.1% |
| Master’s degree | 9.6% |
| Some college courses | 7.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in food technology & processing careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in food technology & processing opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to food technology & processing.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to food technology & processing.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Food Science Technicians | 135,157 | 7.3% |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | 76,219 | -4.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of food technology & processing graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,828 |
| 4 years | $59,662 |
| 5 years | $68,842 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for food technology & processing graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers food technology & processing grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Science Technicians | $100,898 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $55,930 |
With 22 different food technology & processing programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased food technology & processing school rankings to help you.
Those considering food technology & processing, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Food Science | 1,581 |
| Viticulture and Enology | 268 |
| Food Science and Technology, Other | 132 |
| Brewing Science | 118 |
| Zymology/Fermentation Science | 74 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
