GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hr In The Food Processing Industry Statistics

HR challenges, automation, diversity, and training dominate food processing industry.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

75% of food processing companies offer health benefits to attract workers

Statistic 2

40% of food processing companies have experienced workplace injuries related to manual handling

Statistic 3

70% of food processing companies report using employee engagement programs

Statistic 4

Employee satisfaction scores in food processing reached an average of 7.8 out of 10 in 2023

Statistic 5

68% of food processing companies report investing in mental health and wellness programs for employees

Statistic 6

Employee absenteeism rates in food processing are around 4.5 days per year per employee

Statistic 7

The use of wearable technology for employee safety in food processing facilities has increased by 22% in the past two years

Statistic 8

The percentage of companies offering financial wellness programs to food processing employees has increased to 42%

Statistic 9

Employee health insurance coverage in food processing is offered by 65% of companies

Statistic 10

48% of HR professionals in food processing identify mental health support as a key retention strategy

Statistic 11

The use of mobile HR apps in food processing companies has grown to 62%

Statistic 12

Employee participation in wellness programs in food processing has increased from 30% to 55% in recent years

Statistic 13

The average annual turnover rate in food processing plants is around 20%

Statistic 14

About 45% of food processing companies have implemented automated systems to streamline HR functions

Statistic 15

60% of HR managers in the food processing sector cite high turnover as their biggest challenge

Statistic 16

25% of food processing companies are actively recruiting due to labor shortages

Statistic 17

Employee turnover costs the food processing industry an estimated $2 billion annually

Statistic 18

65% of food processing HR departments use data analytics to improve workforce planning

Statistic 19

The average time to fill a vacant position in food processing is 35 days

Statistic 20

The turnover rate for temporary workers in food processing is nearly 50%

Statistic 21

The average duration of employment for new hires in food processing is about 1.8 years

Statistic 22

55% of HR managers plan to increase wages to counteract labor shortages in 2023

Statistic 23

Overtime hours in food processing have increased by 12% during peak seasons

Statistic 24

The average age at which workers leave the food processing industry is 45 years old

Statistic 25

The overall workforce participation rate in food processing is approximately 56%

Statistic 26

70% of food processing personnel are concerned about job security due to automation

Statistic 27

70% of HR professionals in the food sector see employee retention as a top priority

Statistic 28

36% of food processing companies have adopted remote work policies for administrative HR roles

Statistic 29

40% of food processing companies have implemented flexible work hours to improve work-life balance

Statistic 30

30% of food processing SMEs now provide remote onboarding programs

Statistic 31

The food processing industry employs over 1.6 million workers in the United States

Statistic 32

Women comprise 35% of the workforce in food processing industries

Statistic 33

The average hourly wage in the food processing industry is $15.50

Statistic 34

50% of roles in food processing are entry-level positions

Statistic 35

The median age of workers in the food processing industry is 43 years old

Statistic 36

30% of food processing employees are evaluated using automated HR software

Statistic 37

Nearly 60% of food processing workers are covered by union contracts

Statistic 38

45% of food processing companies have reported difficulties in succession planning

Statistic 39

65% of HR teams in food processing utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS)

Statistic 40

Automation and robotics have reduced manual labor hours by 25% in food processing plants

Statistic 41

The proportion of part-time workers in food processing is approximately 30%

Statistic 42

80% of HR leaders in the food sector believe that fostering diversity enhances employee performance

Statistic 43

The percentage of businesses providing on-site childcare benefits in food processing has grown to 15% in recent years

Statistic 44

70% of food processing companies have a dedicated HR analytics team or function

Statistic 45

40% of food processing businesses report challenges in complying with constantly changing labor laws

Statistic 46

78% of HR professionals in food processing are prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives

Statistic 47

85% of food processing establishments have adopted some form of digital HR record-keeping

Statistic 48

25% of the food processing industry workforce holds bilingual skills to manage diverse customer bases

Statistic 49

10% of food processing companies have adopted blockchain technology for payroll and HR data management

Statistic 50

The rate of internal promotions within food processing companies stands at approximately 30%

Statistic 51

The average retirement age of employees in food processing is 62 years

Statistic 52

About 45% of food processing firms provide transportation benefits to workers

Statistic 53

The percentage of food processing firms with dedicated compliance officers has risen to 28%

Statistic 54

Approximately 85% of food processing companies report difficulty in hiring skilled labor

Statistic 55

The food processing sector invests approximately $250 million annually in employee training

Statistic 56

80% of food processing HR managers are interested in implementing AI-driven recruitment tools

Statistic 57

Employee training hours increased by 15% in the food processing sector over the last five years

Statistic 58

Approximately 55% of food processing companies have sustainability initiatives that include workforce development

Statistic 59

Food safety compliance training has increased by 20% among HR programs in the past three years

Statistic 60

Approximately 50% of food processing companies engage in apprenticeship programs

Statistic 61

Nearly 40% of food processing firms have started using virtual reality for employee training purposes

Statistic 62

58% of HR leaders report using social media for recruiting in the food processing sector

Statistic 63

The average number of training hours per employee in food processing increased from 15 to 17 hours over the last three years

Statistic 64

82% of food processing companies track employee performance through digital systems

Statistic 65

About 25% of the workforce in food processing has received some form of cybersecurity training

Statistic 66

The percentage of food processing companies participating in apprenticeship programs has increased by 15% in five years

Statistic 67

55% of food processing companies have active apprenticeship or internship programs

Statistic 68

85% of food processing companies use diversity training programs

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Key Highlights

  • The food processing industry employs over 1.6 million workers in the United States
  • Approximately 85% of food processing companies report difficulty in hiring skilled labor
  • The average annual turnover rate in food processing plants is around 20%
  • Women comprise 35% of the workforce in food processing industries
  • About 45% of food processing companies have implemented automated systems to streamline HR functions
  • 60% of HR managers in the food processing sector cite high turnover as their biggest challenge
  • 75% of food processing companies offer health benefits to attract workers
  • The average hourly wage in the food processing industry is $15.50
  • 50% of roles in food processing are entry-level positions
  • The median age of workers in the food processing industry is 43 years old
  • 25% of food processing companies are actively recruiting due to labor shortages
  • 30% of food processing employees are evaluated using automated HR software
  • The food processing sector invests approximately $250 million annually in employee training

The food processing industry in the United States is a bustling sector employing over 1.6 million workers, yet it faces mounting challenges such as high turnover rates, skilled labor shortages, and the pressing need for automation and diversity initiatives—making HR management more critical than ever in shaping its future.

Employee Wellness and Engagement

  • 75% of food processing companies offer health benefits to attract workers
  • 40% of food processing companies have experienced workplace injuries related to manual handling
  • 70% of food processing companies report using employee engagement programs
  • Employee satisfaction scores in food processing reached an average of 7.8 out of 10 in 2023
  • 68% of food processing companies report investing in mental health and wellness programs for employees
  • Employee absenteeism rates in food processing are around 4.5 days per year per employee
  • The use of wearable technology for employee safety in food processing facilities has increased by 22% in the past two years
  • The percentage of companies offering financial wellness programs to food processing employees has increased to 42%
  • Employee health insurance coverage in food processing is offered by 65% of companies
  • 48% of HR professionals in food processing identify mental health support as a key retention strategy
  • The use of mobile HR apps in food processing companies has grown to 62%
  • Employee participation in wellness programs in food processing has increased from 30% to 55% in recent years

Employee Wellness and Engagement Interpretation

Amid rising investments in wellness, safety gear, and employee engagement, the food processing industry appears to be seasoning its workforce with care—yet persistent manual handling injuries and mental health challenges serve as a reminder that even the healthiest recipes need continuous stirring.

Employment and Turnover Rates

  • The average annual turnover rate in food processing plants is around 20%
  • About 45% of food processing companies have implemented automated systems to streamline HR functions
  • 60% of HR managers in the food processing sector cite high turnover as their biggest challenge
  • 25% of food processing companies are actively recruiting due to labor shortages
  • Employee turnover costs the food processing industry an estimated $2 billion annually
  • 65% of food processing HR departments use data analytics to improve workforce planning
  • The average time to fill a vacant position in food processing is 35 days
  • The turnover rate for temporary workers in food processing is nearly 50%
  • The average duration of employment for new hires in food processing is about 1.8 years
  • 55% of HR managers plan to increase wages to counteract labor shortages in 2023
  • Overtime hours in food processing have increased by 12% during peak seasons
  • The average age at which workers leave the food processing industry is 45 years old
  • The overall workforce participation rate in food processing is approximately 56%
  • 70% of food processing personnel are concerned about job security due to automation
  • 70% of HR professionals in the food sector see employee retention as a top priority

Employment and Turnover Rates Interpretation

With a 20% annual turnover costing $2 billion and nearly half the industry automating HR to combat high attrition, the food processing sector is navigating a workforce squeeze where long-term staffing stability remains as elusive as perfect consistency in a factory line.

Remote Work and Flexible Policies

  • 36% of food processing companies have adopted remote work policies for administrative HR roles
  • 40% of food processing companies have implemented flexible work hours to improve work-life balance
  • 30% of food processing SMEs now provide remote onboarding programs

Remote Work and Flexible Policies Interpretation

The food processing industry's HR landscape is increasingly embracing flexibility, with nearly half adopting remote or flexible work arrangements—highlighting a shift that balances employee well-being with operational efficiency, even amidst industry-specific challenges.

Workforce Composition and Diversity

  • The food processing industry employs over 1.6 million workers in the United States
  • Women comprise 35% of the workforce in food processing industries
  • The average hourly wage in the food processing industry is $15.50
  • 50% of roles in food processing are entry-level positions
  • The median age of workers in the food processing industry is 43 years old
  • 30% of food processing employees are evaluated using automated HR software
  • Nearly 60% of food processing workers are covered by union contracts
  • 45% of food processing companies have reported difficulties in succession planning
  • 65% of HR teams in food processing utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS)
  • Automation and robotics have reduced manual labor hours by 25% in food processing plants
  • The proportion of part-time workers in food processing is approximately 30%
  • 80% of HR leaders in the food sector believe that fostering diversity enhances employee performance
  • The percentage of businesses providing on-site childcare benefits in food processing has grown to 15% in recent years
  • 70% of food processing companies have a dedicated HR analytics team or function
  • 40% of food processing businesses report challenges in complying with constantly changing labor laws
  • 78% of HR professionals in food processing are prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
  • 85% of food processing establishments have adopted some form of digital HR record-keeping
  • 25% of the food processing industry workforce holds bilingual skills to manage diverse customer bases
  • 10% of food processing companies have adopted blockchain technology for payroll and HR data management
  • The rate of internal promotions within food processing companies stands at approximately 30%
  • The average retirement age of employees in food processing is 62 years
  • About 45% of food processing firms provide transportation benefits to workers
  • The percentage of food processing firms with dedicated compliance officers has risen to 28%

Workforce Composition and Diversity Interpretation

With over 1.6 million workers, including a growing, diverse, and increasingly automated workforce, the U.S. food processing industry is navigating the challenging blend of tradition and innovation—where union contracts, digital HR tools, and DEI initiatives collide in a quest to deliver quality food while juggling ongoing labor and succession hurdles.

Workforce Development and Training

  • Approximately 85% of food processing companies report difficulty in hiring skilled labor
  • The food processing sector invests approximately $250 million annually in employee training
  • 80% of food processing HR managers are interested in implementing AI-driven recruitment tools
  • Employee training hours increased by 15% in the food processing sector over the last five years
  • Approximately 55% of food processing companies have sustainability initiatives that include workforce development
  • Food safety compliance training has increased by 20% among HR programs in the past three years
  • Approximately 50% of food processing companies engage in apprenticeship programs
  • Nearly 40% of food processing firms have started using virtual reality for employee training purposes
  • 58% of HR leaders report using social media for recruiting in the food processing sector
  • The average number of training hours per employee in food processing increased from 15 to 17 hours over the last three years
  • 82% of food processing companies track employee performance through digital systems
  • About 25% of the workforce in food processing has received some form of cybersecurity training
  • The percentage of food processing companies participating in apprenticeship programs has increased by 15% in five years
  • 55% of food processing companies have active apprenticeship or internship programs
  • 85% of food processing companies use diversity training programs

Workforce Development and Training Interpretation

Despite investing nearly a quarter of a billion dollars annually in employee training and embracing innovative tech like AI and virtual reality, the food processing industry still faces a significant skilled labor shortage—highlighting both the sector’s commitment to workforce development and the urgent need for smarter, more inclusive hiring strategies.

Sources & References