Food Science Technician Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$48,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $52,130
State Rank
#28 of 38
590 employed here

How much does a Food Science Technician make in Pennsylvania?

A Food Science Technician working in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $48,060 per year, or about $23.11 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $52,130 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $37,590 while the top 10% make $62,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,440 and $57,490 a year.

Food Science Technician salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,590$18.07
25th percentile (early career)$40,440$19.44
50th percentile (median)$48,060$23.11
75th percentile (experienced)$57,490$27.64
90th percentile (top earners)$62,200$29.90

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 28th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($48,060) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Food Science Technician salary in Pennsylvania is $48,060 per year, or about $23.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,590 at the entry level to $62,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Food Science Technicians about 8% less than the national median of $52,130. Pennsylvania ranks 28th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Food Science Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,060 a year. About 590 Food Science Technicians are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.