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Professional Taste Tester Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Food Services Supv

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$19.98 - $28.54/hr

Supervises all merchandising, temperature and taste testing of all food items records results ... Professional Experience Requirements: Two (2) years food service experience Knowledge/Skills/and ...

Supervisor Food Services

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$19.78 - $28.12/hr

Supervises all merchandising, temperature and taste testing of all food items records results ... Professional Experience Requirements: • Two (2) years food service experience Knowledge/Skills ...

Ensures food quality by completing thorough line checks and tasting/testing food on a consistent ... Build and maintain the morale of the kitchen team by maintaining a respectful and professional ...

Business Services Analyst

Durham, NC · On-site +1

$68K - $105K/yr

Not only do we deliver the Best Tasting Water in the state to our customers each and every day, but ... Participate in system testing for updates, patches, and enhancements. Research, compile, analyze ...

Material Bank is the fastest and most powerful way for design professionals to search, sample, and ... testing, iteration, and human-in-the-loop evaluation strategies. * Partner closely with Product ...

Professional Taste Tester information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$10

$37

$60

How much do professional taste tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional taste tester in Raleigh, NC is $37.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.82 and $49.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professional taste tester?

Professional Taste Testers are individuals who evaluate the flavor, texture, aroma, and overall quality of foods and beverages, often working for food manufacturers, restaurants, or research organizations. Their feedback helps companies improve products, ensure consistency, and develop new recipes. Taste testers may specialize in certain products, such as chocolate, wine, or coffee, and use their sensory skills to detect subtle differences in taste and quality. This role often requires a refined palate, attention to detail, and sometimes formal training in sensory analysis. Professional Taste Testers play a crucial role in food safety and product development.

What does a professional taste tester do?

A professional taste tester assesses the flavor, texture, aroma, color, and other qualities of food products. In this career, you eat food items from manufacturers, restaurant chains, or other food producers. You then judge them on specific traits. Your responsibilities include scoring each food item in these particular areas and explaining the basis for your opinion. A professional food taster can be a professionally trained culinary expert with a well-developed palate or a consumer who works for market research panels on a part-time basis. In both jobs, your duties include tasting products and documenting your opinions orally or in writing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professional taste tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Taste Tester, strong sensory evaluation skills, an acute sense of taste and smell, and relevant food science or culinary qualifications are essential. Familiarity with sensory analysis tools, standardized tasting protocols, and sometimes certifications like Certified Sensory Scientist are commonly required. Attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to provide objective, constructive feedback are standout soft skills. These competencies are crucial for ensuring product quality, consistency, and consumer satisfaction in the food and beverage industry.

What does a typical day look like for a professional taste tester, and how do they interact with other team members?

A typical day for a Professional Taste Tester involves evaluating a variety of food or beverage samples, recording detailed sensory notes, and providing feedback on taste, texture, aroma, and appearance. Taste testers often work closely with product developers, chefs, and quality assurance teams to refine recipes and ensure consistency. Collaboration is key, as testers participate in group tasting panels and discussions to compare impressions and reach consensus on product quality. The environment is usually a lab or test kitchen with controlled tasting conditions to ensure unbiased results.

What is the difference between Professional Taste Tester vs Food Quality Analyst?

AspectProfessional Taste TesterFood Quality Analyst
Required CredentialsSensory training, palate training, sometimes certifications in food scienceFood science or technology degree, certifications in quality assurance
Work EnvironmentFood testing labs, manufacturing facilities, tasting panelsQuality control labs, manufacturing plants, food production facilities
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, flavor houses, research labsFood manufacturing, quality assurance departments, regulatory agencies

While both roles involve evaluating food products, a Professional Taste Tester primarily focuses on sensory evaluation and flavor profiling, often working in tasting panels. A Food Quality Analyst emphasizes assessing food safety, quality standards, and compliance through scientific testing and analysis. Both roles require knowledge of food science but differ in their focus and daily tasks.

Can you get paid for taste testing?

Professional taste testers are often paid for their work, which involves evaluating food and beverage products for companies. Compensation can vary based on the company, project, and experience, and some taste testing jobs may also include product samples or incentives. These roles typically require good taste sensitivity and attention to detail.

How much money do professional taste testers make?

Professional taste testers typically earn between $20,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Some may work part-time or on a freelance basis, with higher salaries often associated with quality assurance roles in food and beverage companies.

What are popular job titles related to Professional Taste Tester jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Professional Taste Tester jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Professional Taste Tester jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Professional Taste Tester jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Professional Taste Tester jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Professional Taste Tester job openings:

Infographic showing various Professional Taste Tester job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 14% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $77,563 per year, or $37.3 per hour.

Food Services Supv

UNC Health Careers

Raleigh, NC • On-site

$19.98 - $28.54/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary:
Under supervision, supervises the activities of all employees involved in the Nutrition and Food department areas of patient services, sanitation, cafeteria services, food production and nutrition support.


Responsibilities:
1. Ensures all policy and regulatory standards are met, including health regulations and JCAHO standards. Remains current and compliant with ServSafe Manager Level Certification according to the statutes of the state of North Carolina.
2. Establishes own work plan and priorities, using and/or modifying established procedures. Assists in the development of plans, methods and procedures for improving the overall operations of the department, including quality improvement processes.
3. Interviews, hires, trains, schedules, and evaluates food service staff. Makes recommendations for disciplinary action up to termination as necessary. Maintains appropriate records.
4. Maintains high standards of sanitation throughout the work areas. Enforces a 'clean as you go' policy and proper food handling. Ensures a safe work environment issues work orders for repairs.
5. Manages staff in accordance with Hospital's personnel policies and holds others accountable for the same. Schedules staff. Is responsible for employee time and attendance, payroll and other records as assigned.
6. Participates regularly in supervisory and other meetings and holds staff meetings as necessary and in accordance with departmental expectations.
7. Responsible for recipe development, food preparation, food presentation, distribution to service sites, proper holding of foods to be served and utilization of leftovers. Ensures staff are using safe food handling and proper cooking techniques, and that diet restrictions are being followed. Supervises all merchandising, temperature and taste testing of all food items records results.


Other Information

Other information:
Education Requirements:
High School diploma or GED
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
No licensure or certification required.
Professional Experience Requirements:
Two (2) years food service experience
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:


Job Details

Legal Employer: NCHEALTH

Entity: UNC REX Healthcare

Organization Unit: Rex FNS Main

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Salary Range: $19.98 - $28.54 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Variable

Location of Job: US:NC:Raleigh

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No


This position is employed by NC Health (Rex Healthcare, Inc., d/b/a NC Health), a private, fully-owned subsidiary of UNC Heath Care System. This is not a State employed position.


Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.

Employment Type: