Illinois Median
$94,340
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $88,720
State Rank
#11 of 39
780 employed here
How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make in Illinois?
Food Scientists and Technologists working in Illinois earn a median salary of $94,340 per year, or about $45.36 per hour. That is 6% above the national median of $88,720 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $63,730 while the top 10% make $166,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,470 and $129,500 a year.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,730 | $30.64 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $72,470 | $34.84 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $94,340 | $45.36 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $129,500 | $62.26 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,670 | $80.13 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 11th 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 $94,990New York $94,070California $93,950Virginia $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($94,340) 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 Illinois?
The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Illinois is $94,340 per year, or about $45.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,730 at the entry level to $166,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Food Scientists and Technologists about 6% more than the national median of $88,720. Illinois ranks 11th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Food Scientists and Technologists?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $94,340 a year. About 780 Food Scientists and Technologists are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Food Scientists and Technologists salary report
Related salaries
$61,560
median pay · 31,000 employed
$117,790
median pay · 8,000 employed
$89,320
median pay · 44,000 employed
$101,920
median pay · 23,000 employed
$76,780
median pay · 18,000 employed
$57,510
median pay · 70,000 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.