Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Scientists and Technologists in Arkansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$84,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $88,720
State Rank
#23 of 39
310 employed here

How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make in Arkansas?

Food Scientists and Technologists working in Arkansas earn a median salary of $84,330 per year, or about $40.54 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $88,720 for this occupation.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $49,120 while the top 10% make $165,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,410 and $133,450 a year.

Food Scientists and Technologists salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,120$23.62
25th percentile (early career)$62,410$30.00
50th percentile (median)$84,330$40.54
75th percentile (experienced)$133,450$64.16
90th percentile (top earners)$165,790$79.71

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 23rd out of 39 states and territories for Food Scientists and Technologists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1South Carolina$108,660
2Missouri$105,930
3New Jersey$104,340
4Massachusetts$103,580
5Florida$101,160

Working as Food Scientists and Technologists in Arkansas

Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Food Scientists and Technologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($84,330) 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 do Food Scientists and Technologists make in Arkansas?
The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Arkansas is $84,330 per year, or about $40.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,120 at the entry level to $165,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Food Scientists and Technologists about 5% less than the national median of $88,720. Arkansas ranks 23rd out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Food Scientists and Technologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $84,330 a year. About 310 Food Scientists and Technologists are employed in Arkansas. 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 Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food Scientists and Technologists 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.