Food Science Technician Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$48,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $52,130
State Rank
#26 of 38
130 employed here

How much does a Food Science Technician make in North Carolina?

A Food Science Technician working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $48,640 per year, or about $23.38 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $52,130 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $39,740 while the top 10% make $63,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,380 and $56,750 a year.

Food Science Technician salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,740$19.11
25th percentile (early career)$46,380$22.30
50th percentile (median)$48,640$23.38
75th percentile (experienced)$56,750$27.28
90th percentile (top earners)$63,280$30.42

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 26th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($48,640) 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 North Carolina?
The median Food Science Technician salary in North Carolina is $48,640 per year, or about $23.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,740 at the entry level to $63,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Food Science Technicians about 7% less than the national median of $52,130. North Carolina ranks 26th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Food Science Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,640 a year. About 130 Food Science Technicians are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.