SOC 191012

Food Scientists and Technologists

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

National Median

$85,310

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$85,310

Entry Level (10th pct)

$49,580

Experienced (90th pct)

$141,860

Total Employed

14,370

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$49,580 - $65,240
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$65,240 - $111,700
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$111,700 - $141,860

Highest Paying Locations for Food Scientists and Technologists

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$105,670

+23.9% vs national

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX

$103,810

+21.7% vs national

New Jersey

$102,630

+20.3% vs national

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

$102,630

+20.3% vs national

Ann Arbor, MI

$102,570

+20.2% vs national

Food Scientists and Technologists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$105,670	360
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$103,810	50
New Jersey	$102,630	880
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$102,630	1,120
Ann Arbor, MI	$102,570	40
District of Columbia	$102,500	N/A
St. Louis, MO-IL	$102,270	360
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$101,770	170
Kansas City, MO-KS	$101,740	190
Missouri	$101,570	610
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$101,070	390
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$100,420	50
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$99,320	570
Alabama	$99,170	50
Massachusetts	$99,140	N/A
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$99,140	N/A
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$98,770	390
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$97,950	250
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$97,630	N/A
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR	$97,500	N/A
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$97,390	N/A
Washington	$96,020	310
New York	$95,710	880
Lancaster, PA	$95,110	30
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	$95,090	40
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$94,920	110
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$94,900	50
Minnesota	$94,360	N/A
Pittsburgh, PA	$93,810	40
Rochester, MN	$93,260	30
Florida	$92,760	150
Texas	$92,740	780
Arkansas	$92,530	N/A
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$92,340	110
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$92,160	70
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$89,620	40
South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area	$89,600	N/A
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$89,360	N/A
Rochester, NY	$88,500	40
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$87,200	160
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$87,070	120
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$86,790	140
Michigan	$86,690	430
Colorado	$86,370	310
Kansas	$86,040	310
California	$85,480	2,350
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$84,820	620
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$83,640	70
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$83,080	90
Wichita, KS	$82,990	40

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Food Scientists and Technologists?

The national median annual salary for Food Scientists and Technologists is $85,310, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Food Scientists and Technologistss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Food Scientists and Technologistss is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median salary of $105,670.

How much can an experienced Food Scientists and Technologists make?

Top-earning Food Scientists and Technologistss (90th percentile) make $141,860 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.