California Median
$93,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $88,720
State Rank
#13 of 39
2,210 employed here
How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make in California?
Food Scientists and Technologists in California take home a median of $93,950 annually — roughly $45.17 an hour — which runs 6% above the national median of $88,720.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $60,060 while the top 10% make $140,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,660 and $120,100 a year.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,060 | $28.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $74,660 | $35.89 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $93,950 | $45.17 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $120,100 | $57.74 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,810 | $67.70 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 13th out of 39 states and territories for Food Scientists and Technologists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Scientists and Technologists salary in other states
South Carolina $108,660Missouri $105,930New Jersey $104,340Massachusetts $103,580Florida $101,160Colorado $99,580Minnesota $99,280Kentucky $98,710Alabama $97,480Washington $94,990Illinois $94,340New York $94,070Virginia $93,590Maryland $93,330Texas $90,610Arizona $90,450Maine $89,480Rhode Island $87,970Georgia $86,050Kansas $85,130Oklahoma $84,750Arkansas $84,330Pennsylvania $83,380Wisconsin $83,020Iowa $82,010Tennessee $81,760Oregon $81,660Nevada $80,580North Carolina $79,840New Mexico $79,130Idaho $77,440Michigan $76,940Ohio $76,780Utah $73,280Nebraska $72,230South Dakota $71,330Indiana $69,350Montana $52,230
Working as Food Scientists and Technologists in California
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 California pay ($93,950) 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 California?
The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in California is $93,950 per year, or about $45.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,060 at the entry level to $140,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Food Scientists and Technologists about 6% more than the national median of $88,720. California ranks 13th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Food Scientists and Technologists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $93,950 a year. About 2,210 Food Scientists and Technologists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), 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.