Also called: Sensory Analyst, Consumer Taste Researcher
Runs scientific taste tests to learn how people experience the flavor, smell, and texture of foods.
You set up a panel where 60 trained tasters score samples of yogurt under red lights so color doesn't bias them. Then you analyze the statistics to tell the product team which version wins. It is psychology plus chemistry plus food.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in food science; many have a master's.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Food Science, Psychology, Statistics.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Grouped with food scientists.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI helps analyze taste-panel data; designing studies and running real human taste tests stay human.
Classes: Chemistry, Statistics, Psychology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1012.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.