Food processing

A field of study in engineering, manufacturing and construction

Figures for

Where can it lead?93 jobsuse what this field teaches.ESCO

Vocational or degree?Mostly vocational7 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 120,000 finished vocational training and 40,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat

Do graduates use it?73% in a matching jobof engineering graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 53%.All engineering fields · Eurostat 2024

Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat

What you'd learn

Food storageFood legislationFood preservationFood and beverage industryProcesses of foods and beverages manufacturingFood authentication techniquesFood scienceFermentation processes of foodMill operationsOrigin of dietary fats and oilsPathogenic microorganisms in foodDairy manufacturing specifications+ 13 more

The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.

Where it can lead

93 jobs use what this field teaches.

Sort by

Jobs that use what food processing teaches
Job	Prospects	Pay	Usual study	AI exposure
Leaf tier	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Master coffee roaster	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Low
Leaf sorter	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Curing room worker	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Restaurant host/restaurant hostess	Good	Below average	Vocational	Low
Vermouth manufacturer	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Oil mill operator	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Food safety specialist	Good	Well above average	Degree	Very low
Confectioner	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Chilling operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Coffee taster	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Low
Cellar operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Brew house operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Beverage filtration technician	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Fat-purification worker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Fruit and vegetable canner	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Wine fermenter	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Food grader	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Low
Extract mixer tester	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Malt master	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Low
Chocolatier	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Fish canning operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Liquor grinding mill operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Distillery miller	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Dairy products manufacturing worker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Honey extractor	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Dairy processing technician	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Low
Dairy products maker	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Cacao beans cleaner	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Cigarette making machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Clarifier	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Dryer attendant	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Miller	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Food regulatory advisor	Good	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Liquor blender	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Food analyst	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Sugar refinery operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Sauce production operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Waiter/waitress	Good	Below average	Vocational	Low
Yeast distiller	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Pasta operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Prepared meat operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Milk reception operator	Limited	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Blending plant operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Dairy processing operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Cocoa mill operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Baker	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Candy machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Food biotechnologist	Good	Above average	Degree	Moderate
Starch extraction operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Food service worker	Average	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Street food vendor	Average	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Carbonation operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Baking operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Coffee grinder	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Pastry maker	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Blender operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Fish production operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Coffee roaster	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Distillery worker	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Refining machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Bulk filler	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Kettle tender	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Chocolate moulding operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Food technician	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Flour purifier operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Centrifuge operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Milk heat treatment process operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Fruit-press operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Malt kiln operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Pasta maker	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Cider fermentation operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Food production operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Food safety inspector	Good	About average	Post-secondary	Very low
Blanching operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Hydrogenation machine operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Animal feed operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Meat preparations operator	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Cocoa press operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Cigar brander	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Germination operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Fish preparation operator	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Starch converting operator	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Animal feed nutritionist	Good	Above average	Degree	Moderate
Cacao bean roaster	Good	About average	Vocational	Very low
Meat cutter	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Fish trimmer	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Slaughterer	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low
Vending machine operator	Good	Below average	Basic schooling	Some tasks
Fermenter operator	Limited	About average	Vocational	Very low
Food production planner	Average	About average	Post-secondary	Low
Promotions demonstrator	Average	Below average	Vocational	Moderate
Butcher	Good	Below average	Vocational	Very low

Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.

Where to study

949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.