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Careers›Roles›Cereal Chemist
Mid-Level

Cereal Chemist

A food scientist focused on grains, you study the chemistry of wheat, corn, oats, and the products made from them, working to improve quality, nutrition, and consistency. The science behind bread, cereal, and flour.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
I
R
C
E
A
S
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Cereal Chemists
Manufacturing · 38%Professional Services · 33%Government · 12%Wholesale & Distribution · 4%Administrative Services · 3%Education · 3%
Job markets for Cereal Chemists
Employment concentration · ~199 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Science
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Cereal Chemist

Lab analysis and product testing fill the day: measuring protein, starch, and moisture, running baking or milling tests, and troubleshooting why a batch behaves differently. You work in a quality or R&D lab, often within food manufacturing. Consistency is the whole game, since a small variation can ruin a production run of cereal or flour.

The less glamorous part is the repetition and the strict quality standards: reproducible results and documentation matter as much as insight. Regulatory and food-safety demands add weight, and throughput sets the tempo. The work spans flour mills, cereal makers, ingredient suppliers, and research, each with its own grains and methods to master.

It fits someone meticulous, methodical, and curious about food and chemistry. If you want variety or fast-moving work, bench testing can feel repetitive. But if you like applied science with a tangible product, and the satisfaction of solving why a dough or batch went wrong, the work tends to be steadily satisfying, run after run.

What people in this role value
AchievementAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
Working ConditionsAbove avg
RecognitionAbove avg
SupportModerate
RelationshipsLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Professional Services$92K+15%
Technology & Information$91K+13%
Energy & Utilities$82K+2%
Financial Services$81K+2%
Wholesale & Distribution$79K-1%
Compared to Science average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Cereal Chemists (SOC 19-2031.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Science →
Cereal ChemistResearch ScientistPharmaceutical ScientistChemical AnalystFormulation ScientistAstrochemistElectrochemistCeramic ChemistCosmetic ChemistAnalytical ChemistAgricultural ChemistAnalytical ScientistChemical Lab Scientist (Chemical Laboratory Scientist)
Exploring the Cereal Chemist career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$53K–$154K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
83K
U.S. Employment
+4.9%
10yr Growth
6K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$77K$74K$71K$68K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$77K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

ScienceReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningWritingMathematicsActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingMonitoring
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
19-2031.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midResearch Scientist$95KseniorSenior Research Scientist$95KmidPharmaceutical Scientist$98KmidChemical Analyst$71KmidFormulation Scientist$94KmidAstrochemist$91K
View all Science roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.