Food Science Technician Salary in Illinois (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$60,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $52,130
State Rank
#5 of 38
290 employed here

How much does a Food Science Technician make in Illinois?

A Food Science Technician working in Illinois earns a median salary of $60,820 per year, or about $29.24 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $52,130 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $46,860 while the top 10% make $104,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,730 and $81,090 a year.

Food Science Technician salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,860$22.53
25th percentile (early career)$50,730$24.39
50th percentile (median)$60,820$29.24
75th percentile (experienced)$81,090$38.99
90th percentile (top earners)$104,280$50.13

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 5th 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 Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($60,820) 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 Illinois?
The median Food Science Technician salary in Illinois is $60,820 per year, or about $29.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,860 at the entry level to $104,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Food Science Technicians about 17% more than the national median of $52,130. Illinois ranks 5th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Food Science Technicians?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,820 a year. About 290 Food Science Technicians are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.