Food Science Technician Salary in Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$65,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.42
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $52,130
State Rank
#1 of 38
150 employed here

How much does a Food Science Technician make in Virginia?

A Food Science Technician working in Virginia earns a median salary of $65,360 per year, or about $31.42 per hour. That is 25% above the national median of $52,130 for this occupation.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $47,250 while the top 10% make $78,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,490 and $72,950 a year.

Food Science Technician salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,250$22.72
25th percentile (early career)$60,490$29.08
50th percentile (median)$65,360$31.42
75th percentile (experienced)$72,950$35.07
90th percentile (top earners)$78,700$37.84

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 1st 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($65,360) 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 Virginia?
The median Food Science Technician salary in Virginia is $65,360 per year, or about $31.42 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,250 at the entry level to $78,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Food Science Technicians about 25% more than the national median of $52,130. Virginia ranks 1st out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Food Science Technicians?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $65,360 a year. About 150 Food Science Technicians are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food Science Technician salary report

Related salaries

Chemical Technician

$60,390
median pay · 58,000 employed

Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

$61,560
median pay · 31,000 employed

Forensic Science Technician

$72,060
median pay · 19,000 employed

Survey Researcher

$69,460
median pay · 8,000 employed

Social Science Research Assistant

$61,990
median pay · 31,000 employed
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.