IFT Releases New Compensation and Career Path Report Highlighting the Latest Trends in Food Science Careers
09 July 2024 - 1:09PM
Business Wire
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit
scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food
and its application across the global food system, 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 comprehensive resource is an invaluable
tool for veteran 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 percent 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.
One of the many interesting comparisons in generational survey
respondents involved salary transparency as “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.
To download the Report, click here or go to
https://info.ift.org/salary24.
The cost 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, the
annual food science, technology, and innovation event hosted by IFT
at McCormick Place in Chicago. The session will be held on the
Business FIRST stage from 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. CDT on Tuesday,
July 16.
Last year, IFT’s Feeding Tomorrow Fund published Academic
Knowledge Base 2023: Food Science & Technology Education
Insights, which outlines the state of food science education.
Combining quantitative and aggregated institutional data from food
science programs around the world, the report covers application
and enrollment trends, areas of growing and declining interest, as
well as individuals and resources of influence. The student-based
research report includes participation from 700 students across 33
domestic and international institutions.
To download “Academic Knowledge Base 2023: Food Science &
Technology Education Insights,” click here or go to
https://www.ift.org/feeding-tomorrow-fund/research-and-resources/academic-knowledge-base.
About Institute of Food Technologists
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global
organization of over 11,000 individual members from more than 90
countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939,
IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science,
technology and related professions from academia, government, and
industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. IFT works
to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn,
grow, and innovate to advance the science of food as the population
and the world evolve. IFT believes that science and innovation is
essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable,
safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information,
please visit ift.org.
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Dennis Van Milligen Director, Public and Media Relations
Institute of Food Technologists 630-853-3022
dvanmilligen@ift.org
Frannie Comstock Manager, PR and Marketing Institute of Food
Technologists 513-374-8900 fcomstock@ift.org