Food Science Technician Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$64,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+24% vs US median
US median $52,130
State Rank
#2 of 38
160 employed here

How much does a Food Science Technician make in Kentucky?

Food Science Technicians in Kentucky take home a median of $64,770 annually — roughly $31.14 an hour — which runs 24% above the national median of $52,130.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $42,170 while the top 10% make $84,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,640 and $80,490 a year.

Food Science Technician salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,170$20.27
25th percentile (early career)$52,640$25.31
50th percentile (median)$64,770$31.14
75th percentile (experienced)$80,490$38.70
90th percentile (top earners)$84,410$40.58

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 2nd 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($64,770) 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 Kentucky?
The median Food Science Technician salary in Kentucky is $64,770 per year, or about $31.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,170 at the entry level to $84,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Food Science Technicians about 24% more than the national median of $52,130. Kentucky ranks 2nd out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Food Science Technicians?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $64,770 a year. About 160 Food Science Technicians are employed in Kentucky. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.