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Entry Level Food Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

House--autry-Mills-Inc

Food Scientist

Four Oaks, NC · On-site

$70 - $100/hr

... science, Food Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field required. * 2-5+ years of experience in food product development, food chemistry, or food manufacturing (entry-level ...

House-Autry Mills

Food Scientist

Four Oaks, NC · On-site

... science, Food Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field required. * 2-5+ years of experience in food product development, food chemistry, or food manufacturing (entry-level ...

Oregonstate

Beaver Classic Retail Manager

Corvallis, OR · On-site

Food Science & Technology Special Instructions to Applicants: The closing date has been extended in ... Experience supervising and mentoring entry-level employees and/or students. * Ability to work ...

Archer Daniels Midland

Entry Level Lab Technician - Decatur, IL Job Summary Performs chemical and microbiological analysis ... Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Food Science ...

TriCom Quest

Be Seen First

R&D Associate

Cypress, CA · On-site

$27/hr

A growing international food manufacturing company is seeking a talented and motivated Research & Development (R&D) Specialist to join the team. * Entry-level with science degree * $27/hr. plus full ...

ADM

Entry Level Lab Technician - Decatur, IL

Decatur, IL

$43K - $80K/yr

Entry Level Lab Technician - Decatur, ILJob SummaryPerforms chemical and microbiological analysis ... Food Science, or a related scientific field preferred.Continuing education, technical certification ...

Pride Health

Entry-Level Science Associate

Burlington, MA · On-site

$21 - $21.50/hr

The Science Team at Pride Health is hiring an "Entry-Level Science Associate/Testing Technician" for a top food corporation company. Key Responsibilities: * Perform routine and non-routine GMP ...

Actalent

Quality Technician

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

Knowledge of GMPs, quality systems, inspections, or documentation practices OR Option 2: Entry-Level Science Graduate * Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science ...

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Entry Level Food Science information

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How much do entry level food science jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level food science in the United States is $22.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $28.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level food science job?

Entry level food science jobs are positions for individuals who are new to the field of food science, often requiring a bachelor's degree in food science or a related field. These roles typically involve assisting with product development, quality assurance, food safety, laboratory testing, or regulatory compliance in food production environments. Common job titles include food technologist, quality assurance technician, and laboratory assistant. These positions provide foundational experience and training, preparing employees for more advanced roles within the food industry.

What are typical projects or tasks an entry level food scientist can expect to work on during their first year?

As an entry-level food scientist, you will often assist with product development, quality assurance testing, and sensory evaluations. Your daily tasks may include preparing samples, running basic laboratory tests, documenting results, and supporting senior scientists with research projects. You may also participate in cross-functional meetings with marketing, production, and regulatory teams to ensure product safety and compliance. This hands-on exposure helps you gain a solid understanding of the food production process and prepares you for more advanced responsibilities as you progress in your career.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level food scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Food Scientist, you generally need a bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field, along with foundational knowledge in chemistry, microbiology, and food safety. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, quality assurance protocols, and software for data analysis such as Excel or specialized lab management systems is typical. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help individuals excel in team environments and manage project tasks efficiently. These competencies are vital for ensuring product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance within the food industry.

What is the difference between Entry Level Food Science vs Entry Level Food Technologist?

AspectEntry Level Food ScienceEntry Level Food Technologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Food Science, Chemistry, or related fieldBachelor's in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, production facilities, research settingsManufacturing plants, quality control labs, R&D departments
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, research institutions, government agenciesFood manufacturing, processing companies, quality assurance teams
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Food Science and Entry Level Food Technologist roles often overlap in education and work environment, focusing on food safety, quality, and product development. The main difference lies in terminology used by employers and industry preferences, but both positions serve as foundational roles in food industry careers.

More about Entry Level Food Science jobs

What cities are hiring for Entry Level Food Science jobs?

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What are the most commonly searched types of Food Science jobs?

The most popular types of Food Science jobs are:

What states have the most Entry Level Food Science jobs?

States with the most job openings for Entry Level Food Science jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Food Science jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Food Science jobs are:

Entry Level Food Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Food Science job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,976 per year, or $22.6 per hour.

Entry level FOOD R&D Associate (Food Manufacture)(CA/YM)

Activ8 Recruitment & Solutions

Garden Grove, CA • On-site

$14.25 - $18.50/hr

Other

Retirement

Posted 4 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Support product development, commercialization, and maintenance of plant-based food products.

  • Plan, design, and conduct experiments related to new product development, process improvement, and product maintenance, and communicate results to management.

  • Support commercialization activities such as scale-up, production trials, process validation, and technology transfer to manufacturing.

Job description

A food manufacturing company is looking for an Entry-Level Food R&D Associate to join their team in Garden Grove, CA. A bachelor’s degree in FOOD SCIENCE is required. Up to 2 years' R&D, QC work experience in food product development, food manufacturing, or related field is required. This position is responsible for supporting product development, commercialization, and maintenance of plant-based food products. Also, contributes to innovation, problem-solving, and implementation of new technologies through collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners. This is a full-time, in-person, position with excellent benefits, including 401K.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm



Entry-Level Food R&D Associate Duties:

-Plan, design, and conduct experiments related to new product development, process improvement, commercialization support, and product maintenance with minimal supervision. Organize and analyze data and communicate project progress and experimental results to management.

-Support product maintenance activities, including formula updates, ingredient substitutions, quality improvements, cost optimization, and regulatory compliance.

-Support commercialization activities, including scale-up, production trials, process validation, and technology transfer to manufacturing.

-Provide technical support and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, Marketing, Sales, QC/QA, Production, and SCM

-Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements related to processing, products, labeling, product claims, and advertising.

-Conduct shelf-life studies, sensory evaluations, and analytical testing of new and existing products.

-Research consumer trends, market opportunities, emerging technologies, and ingredients to support concept development and innovation initiatives.

-Develop product formulas that meet nutritional, regulatory, quality, food safety, and cost requirements



Entry-Level Food R&D Associate Skills:

-Must have a bachelor's degree in FOOD SCIENCE

-Up to 2 years' R&D, QC work experience in food product development, food manufacturing, or related field is required.

-Basic knowledge of FDA, USDA, and other regulatory requirements

-Basic knowledge of nutrition, chemistry, microbiology and statistics

-Familiarity of equipment for analytical testing and scientific lab procedures

-Experience with plant-based foods, dairy alternatives, or protein-based products is a plus

-Experience with laboratory testing and data analysis is preferred



****If interested, please apply with your most updated resume including your minimum salary requirement and why you left/or are looking to leave your current company. ****

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Activ8 West- Los Angeles (Japanese Recruiting Company) Recruitment & Solutions / Renaissance Resources Inc., has been a trusted leader in North American recruiting for Japanese businesses for over 25 years. We specialize in connecting top talent with companies in the Automotive, Electronics, Food & Beverage, Logistics, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Banking & Finance, and Entertainment industries. Our client-focused approach ensures that we understand your unique needs, whether you’re a company seeking skilled professionals or a candidate looking for the right career opportunity. By working closely with each individual, we provide tailored solutions that drive success.

We screen ALL Candidates to verify the validity of each applicant's provided information. Upon submitting your resume, we will contact only those candidates that we deem qualified for our client. If we do not contact you, we do not see the fit for the position. If we are unable to reach you in a reasonable timeframe, you will be eliminated from the pool of potential candidates. We prioritize direct applicants; third-party resumes may not be reviewed.

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