• For individuals
  • For companies

Is packaged foods a good career path? A short guide.

A solid, no bs career guide to career paths. Find job that fits you!
Get matched

Is Packaged Foods a Good Career Path?

Packaged foods are a staple in most households, and the industry is growing at a rapid pace. With this growth comes an increase in job opportunities, making it a viable career path for many. However, before jumping into this field, it's essential to understand the types of jobs available, how to start a career, pay rates, downsides, and the fastest-growing jobs.

Types of Jobs in Packaged Foods

The packaged foods industry offers a wide range of job opportunities, from production to marketing. Some of the most common jobs include food technologists, quality control specialists, packaging engineers, production supervisors, and marketing managers. Each of these jobs requires different skills and qualifications, making it possible for individuals with varying backgrounds to find a job in this industry.

How Best to Start a Career in Packaged Foods?

Starting a career in packaged foods requires a combination of education and experience. Most entry-level jobs require a high school diploma or equivalent, but having a degree in food science, engineering, or business can increase your chances of landing a higher-paying job. Additionally, gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions can help you climb the career ladder.

What Do Jobs in the US and UK Pay in Packaged Foods?

The pay rates for jobs in the packaged foods industry vary depending on the job title, location, and experience. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a food technologist in the US is $60,000 per year, while a packaging engineer earns an average of $80,000 per year. In the UK, a food technologist earns an average of £25,000 per year, while a packaging engineer earns an average of £35,000 per year.

What Are the Downsides of a Career in Packaged Foods?

Like any industry, there are downsides to a career in packaged foods. One of the most significant downsides is the potential health risks associated with working in a food production facility. Additionally, the work can be physically demanding, and the hours can be long and irregular. However, with proper safety measures and a good work-life balance, these downsides can be mitigated.

What Are the Fastest Growing Jobs in Packaged Foods?

The packaged foods industry is constantly evolving, and with this evolution comes new job opportunities. Some of the fastest-growing jobs in this industry include sustainability managers, data analysts, and automation engineers. These jobs require a combination of technical skills and business acumen, making them highly sought after by employers.

Your Fit for this job

Discover whether you’re a fit for this and other roles by taking our quick career discovery assessments
Find your Fit
salary-data tests

Salary data

A major reason why job markets are dysfunctional and inefficient is because of the lack of salary transparency in job postings. Knowing salary expectations on the candidate side and the salaries behind job postings would significantly cut down labor market and recruitment friction. That’s why we set out to gather - both based on user generated data and external data sources - the largest salary dataset on remote and hybrid jobs.

Check out our remote job board

Get started

Free Personality tests

All of the following assessment tools explore an individual's personality thoroughly, although the Big5 is the gold standard among personality assessments. And what’s key is that are all available for free here: