How Much Does a Food Microbiologist Make?

by Rick Suttle Google

It's crucial that the food supply in the United States be safe for consumption. That's why government agencies, food companies and universities hire food microbiologists, who study food pathogens and find ways to eliminate or minimize their impact on humans and animals. These scientists spend much of their time in labs, analyzing food specimens and logging their results. They earn salaries averaging nearly $70,000 annually.

Salary and Qualifications

Food microbiologists earned average annual salaries of $66,000 as of 2013, according to the job site Simply Hired. The minimum requirements for becoming a food microbiologist are a bachelor's degree in microbiology, biology, food science or biochemistry, and two or more years of industry experience. Many employers prefer hiring those with master's degrees -- and microbiologists employed in scientific research may need doctorate degrees. Other essential requirements are an attention to detail, and skills in math, analytics, observation, problem-solving, communication, and computers.

Salary by Region

In 2013, average salaries for food microbiologists varied significantly in most U.S. regions, according to Simply Hired. In the South region, the highest average was $104,000, in Washington, D.C., and the lowest average was $51,000, in Mississippi. Food microbiologists in the West averaged between $53,000 and $74,000 -- with the lowest salaries in Montana and highest in Alaska and California. The average salaries ranged from $59,000 to $80,000 per year, respectively, in Maine and Massachusetts, the lowest and highest averages in the Northeast. In the Midwest, food microbiologists averaged the most in Minnesota and the least in South Dakota, at $70,000 and $51,000, respectively.

Contributing Factors

A food microbiologist may earn more in certain industries. For example, in 2012, microbiologists, including those in the food industry, earned the highest salaries working for the federal executive branch of government, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with an average of $100,910. Those employed in management at corporations made a mean of $79,180 annually -- versus the industry average of $73,250.

Job Outlook

The bureau projects a 13-percent increase in jobs for all microbiologists in the next decade, which is on par with the 14 percent growth rate for all jobs. Jobs for food scientists, a closely related field, will increase 12 percent during the same time frame. The federal government periodically revises food packaging laws, which increases the demand for food microbiologists. Food-borne illnesses can also be devastating to corporate profits, so companies need highly qualified food microbiologists to prevent such outbreaks.

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