Tennessee Median
$81,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.31
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $88,720
State Rank
#27 of 39
70 employed here
How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make in Tennessee?
Food Scientists and Technologists in Tennessee take home a median of $81,760 annually — roughly $39.31 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $88,720.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $64,660 while the top 10% make $105,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $69,150 and $95,210 a year.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,660 | $31.09 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $69,150 | $33.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $81,760 | $39.31 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $95,210 | $45.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,670 | $50.80 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 27th 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 $94,070California $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 $82,010Oregon $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($81,760) 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 Tennessee?
The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Tennessee is $81,760 per year, or about $39.31 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,660 at the entry level to $105,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Food Scientists and Technologists about 8% less than the national median of $88,720. Tennessee ranks 27th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Food Scientists and Technologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $81,760 a year. About 70 Food Scientists and Technologists are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.