What is a food processor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Food processing work consists of several duties to ensure the utmost quality of food and substances for making food in a work area. As a food processor, you are to organize and store several food substances, like tinned, baked, iced, parched, and hygienic products, and handle documentation. Besides operating and producing the food, you will also supervise the machine equipment in the cooking process and combine ingredients to make sure it is done according to the product value criterion.

With regards to your peculiar duties, you must sternly obey health, preservative food instruction, and government rules. You are expected to suggest improvement in methods, company, and standards to enhance working effectiveness and operate with assisting staff in executing routine processes.

As a food processor, you don't exactly require a university education. The most usual degree for you to obtain is a high school diploma. You must also possess certain skills like excellent interpersonal, communication, time management, analytical, and coordination skills. You must be able to logically reason. As a food processor, you'll make an average of $29,962 per year or $14.49 per hour.

ScoreFood ProcessorUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $31,432

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
4.8

Growth Rate 2%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.02%

Asian 8.51%

Black or African American 11.86%

Hispanic or Latino 21.31%

Unknown 5.07%

White 52.23%

Gender

female 39.85%

male 60.15%

Age - 34
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 34
Stress Level
4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.2

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.6

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Food Processor career paths

Key steps to become a food processor

  1. Explore food processor education requirements

    Most common food processor degrees

    High School Diploma

    42.0 %

    Bachelor's

    22.6 %

    Diploma

    14.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific food processor skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Food Safety22.82%
    Assembly Line11.54%
    GMP10.36%
    Food Preparation7.10%
    Food Processing Equipment6.43%
  3. Complete relevant food processor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New food processors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a food processor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real food processor resumes.
  4. Research food processor duties and responsibilities

    • Manage and instruct workers in the art of food preparation as culinary team leader.
    • Take orders and run cash register.
    • Pull pallets of meals into work area using pallet jacks.
    • Handle and process numerous types of livestock in strict accordance to USDA guidelines.
  5. Prepare your food processor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your food processor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a food processor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Food Processor Resume templates

    Build a professional Food Processor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Food Processor resume.
    Food Processor Resume
    Food Processor Resume
    Food Processor Resume
    Food Processor Resume
    Food Processor Resume
    Food Processor Resume
    Food Processor Resume
    Food Processor Resume
    Food Processor Resume
  6. Apply for food processor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a food processor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Food Processor Job

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Average food processor salary

The average Food Processor salary in the United States is $31,432 per year or $15 per hour. Food processor salaries range between $25,000 and $38,000 per year.

Average Food Processor Salary
$31,432 Yearly
$15.11 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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