South Carolina Median
$39,480
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $52,130
State Rank
#38 of 38
40 employed here
How much does a Food Science Technician make in South Carolina?
Food Science Technicians in South Carolina take home a median of $39,480 annually — roughly $18.98 an hour — which runs 24% below the national median of $52,130.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $36,270 while the top 10% make $60,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,280 and $51,940 a year.
Food Science Technician salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,270 | $17.44 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,280 | $17.44 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,480 | $18.98 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $51,940 | $24.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,040 | $28.87 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 38th out of 38 states and territories for Food Science Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Science Technician salary in other states
Virginia $65,360Kentucky $64,770Washington $62,070Vermont $60,980Illinois $60,820Missouri $59,570Nevada $59,070Colorado $58,540Florida $58,500Minnesota $57,940Maryland $57,880Ohio $57,060Massachusetts $56,850New Jersey $56,730Wisconsin $55,690New York $55,470California $54,200Georgia $53,150Michigan $52,130Mississippi $51,460Iowa $50,740Oregon $50,590Connecticut $49,700Idaho $48,980South Dakota $48,760North Carolina $48,640Nebraska $48,530Pennsylvania $48,060Texas $47,760Oklahoma $47,240Arkansas $46,810New Mexico $46,500Utah $45,110Indiana $44,630Louisiana $44,310Alabama $40,940Kansas $39,930
Working as a Food Science Technician in South 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 South Carolina pay ($39,480) 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 South Carolina?
The median Food Science Technician salary in South Carolina is $39,480 per year, or about $18.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,270 at the entry level to $60,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Food Science Technicians about 24% less than the national median of $52,130. South Carolina ranks 38th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Food Science Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,480 a year. About 40 Food Science Technicians are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.