How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make?
Food Scientists and Technologists earn a median annual salary of $88,720 in the United States, which works out to roughly $42.65 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $52,920 at the entry level and $145,280 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $68,810 and $116,650 a year.
That is $27,330 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Food Scientists and Technologists salary range by percentile
Half of all Food Scientists and Technologists earn between $68,810 and $116,650 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,920 | $25.44 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $68,810 | $33.08 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $88,720 | $42.65 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $116,650 | $56.08 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,280 | $69.85 |
Highest-paying states for Food Scientists and Technologists
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. South Carolina leads the country for Food Scientists and Technologists pay at $108,660 a year, followed by Missouri ($105,930) and New Jersey ($104,340). At the other end, Montana posts the lowest median at $52,230 — a gap of $56,430 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Carolina | $108,660 | $52.24 | +22% |
| 2 | Missouri | $105,930 | $50.93 | +19% |
| 3 | New Jersey | $104,340 | $50.16 | +18% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $103,580 | $49.80 | +17% |
| 5 | Florida | $101,160 | $48.63 | +14% |
Food Scientists and Technologists salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 39 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 13,000 people work as Food Scientists and Technologists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $95,360 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make in the United States?
How does Food Scientists and Technologists pay compare to other jobs?
Which state pays Food Scientists and Technologists the most?
What education do Food Scientists and Technologists need?
How many Food Scientists and Technologists work in the United States?
Related salaries
Other science roles with similar pay.