Food Science Technician Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Science Technicians in Arkansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$46,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $52,130
State Rank
#31 of 38
140 employed here

How much does a Food Science Technician make in Arkansas?

A Food Science Technician working in Arkansas earns a median salary of $46,810 per year, or about $22.50 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $52,130 for this occupation.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $42,600 while the top 10% make $69,120 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,710 and $55,820 a year.

Food Science Technician salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,600$20.48
25th percentile (early career)$43,710$21.01
50th percentile (median)$46,810$22.50
75th percentile (experienced)$55,820$26.84
90th percentile (top earners)$69,120$33.23

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 31st out of 38 states and territories for Food Science Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Virginia$65,360
2Kentucky$64,770
3Washington$62,070
4Vermont$60,980
5Illinois$60,820

Working as a Food Science Technician in Arkansas

Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Food Science Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($46,810) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Food Science Technician make in Arkansas?
The median Food Science Technician salary in Arkansas is $46,810 per year, or about $22.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,600 at the entry level to $69,120 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Food Science Technicians about 10% less than the national median of $52,130. Arkansas ranks 31st out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Food Science Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,810 a year. About 140 Food Science Technicians are employed in Arkansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food Science Technician salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.