19 of the Highest Paying Food Processor Jobs in 2026

The best Food Processor jobs can pay up to $137,500 per year.

High Paying Food Processor Jobs

• Flavorist

  Salary range: $106,000 - $137,500

  As a flavorist, you use your knowledge of essential oils, natural and artificial compounds, and other ingredients to create flavor formulas. Food and beverage companies use these formulas to create new products and improving existing ones, but you also work to duplicate and replace natural flavors that the manufacturing process destroys. In this role, you focus on creating flavors that have a long shelf life, are allergy-safe, and have broad appeal with consumers, and your responsibilities involve performing research in accordance with dietary and safety regulations imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

• Food Scientist

  Salary range: $68,000 - $100,000

  The majority of Food Scientist salaries across the United States currently range between $68,000 (25th percentile) and $100,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Food Scientist job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.

• Food Safety Manager

  Salary range: $50,000 - $88,500

  As a food safety manager, you are the quality control manager for the food your employees produce. Your primary responsibilities are to make sure food from your facility meets health and safety standards and that your employees follow all food safety procedures. Your job duties include overseeing the production and packaging of food, inspecting storage and holding areas, ensuring workers comply with health and safety rules, and reporting issues to plant or facility managers. Food safety managers work in food processing plants, schools, hospitals, and other large-scale food operations.

• Food Production Manager

  Salary range: $52,500 - $79,000

  The majority of Food Production Manager salaries across the United States currently range between $52,500 (25th percentile) and $79,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Food Production Manager job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Food Safety Specialist

  Salary range: $50,500 - $73,000

  A food safety specialist inspects food or agricultural sites to ensure compliance with all quality and environmental health standards. They provide certification for food production facilities and products. As a food safety specialist, your duties include on-site inspection, lab work, and visits to restaurants or grocery stores. A safety specialist has many other responsibilities, including evaluating workplace safety, making recommendations for improvements at facilities, performing product tests, working with management at facilities, and making inspections of employee working conditions.

• Food Quality Tester

  Salary range: $33,000 - $72,000

  The majority of Food Quality Tester salaries across the United States currently range between $33,000 (25th percentile) and $72,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Food Quality Tester job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Food Technologist

  Salary range: $50,000 - $71,000

  A food technologist works for a food manufacturer to develop new food products or improve existing products. Your job duties and responsibilities may include developing food products that meet mandated standards, improving shelf life, researching new trends and ingredients, studying consumer feedback, and ensuring product packaging accuracy. You may also perform quality assurance checks on the manufacturing process.

• Kitchen Mechanic

  Salary range: $40,500 - $60,500

  The majority of Kitchen Mechanic salaries across the United States currently range between $40,500 (25th percentile) and $60,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Kitchen Mechanic job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Broiler Technician

  Salary range: $56,500 - $59,500

  The majority of Broiler Technician salaries across the United States currently range between $56,500 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Broiler Technician job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

• Chemical Specialist

  Salary range: $39,500 - $54,500

  The majority of Chemical Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $39,500 (25th percentile) and $54,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Chemical Specialist job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Roaster

  Salary range: $42,000 - $52,500

  The majority of Roaster salaries across the United States currently range between $42,000 (25th percentile) and $52,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Roaster job market in the United States is active, with some companies hiring.

• Prepared Foods Supervisor

  Salary range: $40,500 - $45,500

  The majority of Prepared Foods Supervisor salaries across the United States currently range between $40,500 (25th percentile) and $45,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Prepared Foods Supervisor job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Food Production Machine Operator

  Salary range: $32,000 - $44,500

  The majority of Food Production Machine Operator salaries across the United States currently range between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $44,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Food Production Machine Operator job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Batch Maker

  Salary range: $36,000 - $44,000

  The responsibilities of a batch maker involve using equipment to mix or blend paints or chemicals according to specifications. Your duties in this career include working to weigh or measure ingredients so that they exactly match the requirements of the chemical or paint formulation. You then monitor the mixing process to ensure even flow of materials into the equipment and proper blending. You must document all your activities and record the contents of each batch and quantities that you use. You also collect and test samples of each batch for quality control purposes.

• Oven Operator

  Salary range: $34,000 - $44,000

  An oven operator supervises the baking process during food production in commercial bakeries or factories. As part of your duties, you are responsible for set up, monitoring, and adjusting oven temperature and time controls. You examine the products during and after baking to ensure product quality. Oven operators load and unload product from the oven for the next step in the manufacturing process. You also organize and place oven racks in designated areas, keeping the work area clean, sanitary, and organized. All safety procedures must be followed at all times.

• Industrial Cook

  Salary range: $36,000 - $44,000

  The majority of Industrial Cook salaries across the United States currently range between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $44,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Industrial Cook job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Food Production Associate

  Salary range: $26,500 - $36,000

  The majority of Food Production Associate salaries across the United States currently range between $26,500 (25th percentile) and $36,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Food Production Associate job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Food Taster

  Salary range: $24,000 - $33,000

  A food taster is a quality assurance worker whose responsibilities are to test food products for different characteristics, such as appearance, smell, taste, flavor, and quality of the ingredients. Your duties in this career include taking small bites of different products and judging them against specific standards laid out by the manufacturer or cooking department. Some food tasters work full-time as food technicians, scientists, and marketers. Other food tasters are everyday consumers who consult for companies. Many of these consumers work in other fields in the food industry.

• Prepared Foods Associate

  Salary range: $25,500 - $33,000

  The majority of Prepared Foods Associate salaries across the United States currently range between $25,500 (25th percentile) and $33,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Prepared Foods Associate job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.