The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has released its 2024 Compensation and Career Path Report examining career trends in the science of food including compensation, job satisfaction, and workplace challenges.
The resource offers a tool for and novice science of food professionals, HR managers in food and beverage organizations, as well as food science professors and students. The report includes data on compensation and career trends across various job titles and functions in the food industry, academia, government, and nonprofits. It covers salary breakdowns by geographic region, job function, gender, race, and more.
The survey was sent to more than 35,000 members of the science of food community with a roughly 20% higher response rate compared to the survey respondent data that was included in the 2022 Compensation and Career Path Report.
This year also saw a significant increase in responses from younger professionals with less experience as the report explored attitudes by generations for the first time — nearly half of the respondents fell in the “Millennial” generational category.
“Gen Z” and “Millennials” overwhelmingly favored sharing salary information (more than 70%) while only 34% of “Gen X” and “Baby Boomers” agreed, pointing to one of multiple generational conflicts employers may encounter among its modern workforces.
“There is no resource available today that provides this type of critical, up-to-date information on the state of food science careers to help employers better navigate modern challenges with greater employee retention and attraction, as well as help employees and job seekers prepare for a career move or transition,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “And due to the significant increase in younger professional responses this year, the report also provides an invaluable glimpse into the mind of the new professional as they enter or rise in the workplace.”
While some trends align with larger workplace trends, such as an increasingly diverse workforce, increased interest in changing jobs (nearly one-third of respondents had pursued a job move in the last 24 months), more flexibility at work, and working a full-time job as well as a side hustle, the report also dives into a few surprising statistics that signal a potential shift in a few key areas.
The cost of the report is $179 but it is free for IFT Premier Members and IFT Student Members, while other IFT membership levels can purchase the Report at a discount. To learn more about becoming a member of IFT, go to https://www.ift.org/membership.
Findings from the report will be presented at IFT FIRST on Tuesday, July 16 on the Business FIRST stage from 10:30 to 11:15 am.
