ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Sensory Panelist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Osmo

Contract Sensory Panelist (Fragrance)

Elizabeth, NJ · On-site

$30/hr

Osmo is seeking a highly meticulous and olfactively acute individual to join our team as Contract Sensory Panelist (Fragrance). This is a specialized, part-time contract role dedicated exclusively to ...

Sensation Research

Trained Sensory Panelist

Mason, OH · On-site

$17/hr

Sensory Panelist * Taste, touch, smell and visually evaluate food, beverages, household and skin care products after being trained to characterize products based on their sensory properties.

Sensation Research

Trained Sensory Panelist

Mason, OH · On-site

$17/hr

Sensory Panelist * Taste, touch, smell and visually evaluate food, beverages, household and skin care products after being trained to characterize products based on their sensory properties.

Osmo

Contract Sensory Panelist (Fragrance)

Elizabeth, NJ · On-site

$30/hr

Osmo is seeking a highly meticulous and olfactively acute individual to join our team as Contract Sensory Panelist (Fragrance). This is a specialized, part-time contract role dedicated exclusively to ...

Sensation Research

Trained Sensory Panelist

Mason, OH · On-site

$17/hr

Sensory Panelist Taste, touch, smell and visually evaluate food, beverages, household and skin care products after being trained to characterize products based on their sensory properties.

Sensation Research

Trained Sensory Panelist

Mason, OH · On-site

$17/hr

Sensory Panelist * Taste, touch, smell and visually evaluate food, beverages, household and skin care products after being trained to characterize products based on their sensory properties.

Archer Daniels Midland

$17.50 - $23.50/hr

Quality Sensory Panelist - Decatur, IL This is a part-time, on-site, hourly position Schedule: * Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9AM to Noon (3 hours) * Hours per week guaranteed, except cancelation ...

Archer Daniels Midland

Descriptive Sensory Panelist - Decatur, IL This is a part-time, on-site, hourly position. Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is hiring part-time Sensory Panelists who will evaluate the appearance, aroma ...

Minnesota Jobs

Sensory Trained Panelist

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$16.50/hr

Sensory Trained Panelist SAM is a fast-growing and global sensory and consumer research consultancy. Our mission is to allow consumers a voice in the development of outstanding food, beverage, pet ...

Eurofins

Sensory Trained Panelist

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$16.50/hr

The Sensory Trained Panelist plays a critical role in supporting sensory research projects by ensuring attendance to the training and panel sessions. Working directly with the Panel Leader and ...

Eurofins

Sensory Trained Panelist

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$16.50/hr

The Sensory Trained Panelist plays a critical role in supporting sensory research projects by ensuring attendance to the training and panel sessions. Working directly with the Panel Leader and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSensory Panelist Jobs

Sensory Panelist information

See salary details

$10

$16

$21

How much do sensory panelist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for sensory panelist in the United States is $16.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sensory panelist?

A Sensory Panelist evaluates the taste, texture, smell, and appearance of food, beverages, or other products to provide detailed feedback. They follow strict guidelines to assess subtle differences and help companies improve product quality. Panelists undergo training to develop their sensory skills and work in a controlled environment to ensure unbiased results. This role is essential in food science, product development, and quality control.

What does a sensory panelist do?

A typical day as a Sensory Panelist involves participating in structured taste tests, evaluating the sensory qualities of foods, beverages, or other products, and providing feedback according to specific guidelines. Most panels are conducted in dedicated sensory labs, often in small teams where confidentiality and unbiased results are emphasized. Panelists may be rotated through different sessions and asked to cleanse their palate between samples, with breaks to minimize fatigue. In addition to testing, you might be responsible for accurately recording your observations using digital or paper-based systems. This role requires reliability, the ability to focus on repetitive tasks, and collaboration with quality assurance or product development teams.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a sensory panelist?

To thrive as a Sensory Panelist, you need a keen sense of taste and smell, attention to detail, and the ability to follow detailed protocols, often supported by a background in food science or a related field. Familiarity with sensory evaluation tools, standardized testing procedures, and data entry systems is often required. Strong observational skills, consistency, and the ability to communicate unbiased feedback clearly are essential soft skills for this role. These strengths are important to ensure reliable, objective analysis that informs product development and quality assurance processes.

How much do sensory panelists get paid?

Sensory panelists typically earn between $10 and $20 per hour, depending on the company, location, and the complexity of the tasting sessions. Compensation may also include incentives or bonuses for participation in multiple sessions or specialized testing. Experience and certification can influence pay rates in this role.
More about Sensory Panelist jobs

What cities are hiring for Sensory Panelist jobs?

Cities with the most Sensory Panelist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Sensory Panelist jobs?

The most popular types of Sensory Panelist jobs are:

What states have the most Sensory Panelist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Sensory Panelist jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Sensory Panelist jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Sensory Panelist jobs are:

Sensory Panelist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sensory Panelist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, and 42% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,324 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Contract Sensory Panelist (Fragrance)

Osmo

Elizabeth, NJ • On-site

$30/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Who we are at Osmo:
Osmo is a digital olfaction company, on a mission to give computers a sense of smell to improve the health and wellbeing of human life. Why? Our sense of smell both enriches and saves lives, and has a deep and direct connection to our emotions and memory.
Olfactory Intelligence has applications across industries including fragrance, manufacturing, security, medicine, and more. We believe in the power of automation and thoughtfully applied AI/ML to solve problems beyond the reach of human intuition alone. Osmo is headquartered in Elizabeth, NJ, with an additional office in Somerville, MA.
Osmo is seeking a highly meticulous and olfactively acute individual to join our team as Contract Sensory Panelist (Fragrance). This is a specialized, part-time contract role dedicated exclusively to generating high-quality sensory data that fuels our Olfactory Intelligence models.
Successful candidates will utilize their superior sense of smell to characterize the behavior, performance, and stability of fragrance compounds and fragrance formulas, directly contributing to the digitization of scent. We are looking for individuals with a genuine passion for fragrance and a methodical approach to objective evaluation.
Contract Details
  • Position Type: Part-Time Contract (90 day probationary period at 20 hours with a potential for 30 hours with benefits)
  • On-Site Hours: 6 hours per day onsite, 5 days/week but only 4 hours of evaluation with 2 mandatory 30 minute breaks and a 1-hour break.
  • Hourly Rate: $30/hour for 4 hours of evaluation
  • Location: Elizabeth, New Jersey

Key Responsibilities
  • Dedicated Olfactory Evaluation: Since smelling is an essential function of this role, you will spend a set number of hours per day actively smelling and evaluating fragrance samples in various formats.
  • Data Annotation: Generate highly precise, objective sensory data by performing character and intensity annotations based on Osmo's internal scales and taxonomic lexicon.
  • Stability & Performance Testing: Evaluate the evolution of odor profiles over time, measuring fragrance integrity and performance in samples pulled from stability chambers and various application tests.
  • Panel Participation & Protocol Adherence: Act as a dedicated, reliable sensory panelist, rigorously following established protocols and maintaining the highest standards of objectivity and focus.
  • Training & Calibration: Participate in required training sessions to ensure high alignment with other panelists and consistency across data points.

Required Qualifications
  • Proven Olfactory Acuity: Demonstrated ability to reliably perceive, differentiate, and describe nuanced odor characteristics is essential. (Candidates will be required to pass a sensory acuity screening.)
  • Focus and Discipline: Proven ability to maintain a high level of concentration and meticulousness during long-duration, repetitive sensory tasks.
  • Methodical Approach: A methodical, objective mindset capable of separating personal preference from analytical sensory assessment.
  • Aptitude for Learning: Eagerness and ability to quickly learn and apply Osmo's internal scales, definitions, and complex olfactive taxonomy.
  • Reliability: High level of professionalism, reliability, and commitment to the scheduled daily working hours.

Ways to Stand Out
  • Passion for Scent: A genuine, deep-seated passion for fragrance or olfactory science.
  • Descriptive Vocabulary: Experience articulating sensory perceptions using descriptive language beyond simple hedonic (like/dislike) terms.
  • Scientific Interest: Background or strong interest in chemistry, biology, or psychology, providing a basis for understanding how scent functions.

If this role inspires you we'd encourage you to apply. We are committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining an incredible team optimized for a diversity of thought, background, and approaches.
For all Full-Time Employees, compensation is just one component of Osmo's total rewards approach, which is designed to support the well-being, growth, and long-term success of our team members. Depending on the role, this may include base salary or contract-based pay, along with access to health, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match; flexible paid time off and company holidays; and equity or incentive compensation for eligible roles. Actual compensation will vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, internal equity, and other relevant business considerations. Osmo regularly reviews pay ranges and compensation structures to ensure they remain competitive, equitable, and aligned with current market data.
All employment decisions and responsibilities are determined based on current ability and your ability to grow, without regard to race, color, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, physical, mental, or sensory disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Osmo does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Osmo or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by the Osmo Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Osmo and Osmo will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire

Apply