Food Science Technician Salary
Food Science Technicians earn a median $52,130 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What food science technicians do
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.8% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 3,000
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of food science technicians is projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Food Science Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,076
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,232
- Medicare (1.45%)$756
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$44,066
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,820 | $19.14 | $34,175 |
| 25th percentile | $46,020 | $22.13 | $39,157 |
| Median (50th) | $52,130 | $25.06 | $44,066 |
| 75th percentile | $63,270 | $30.42 | $53,017 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,820 | $37.89 | $64,280 |
Food Science Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $65,360 | +10.6% | $51,753 | $47,250 – $78,700 | 150 |
| Kentucky | $64,770 | +23.6% | $52,073 | $42,170 – $84,410 | 160 |
| Washington | $62,070 | +30.9% | $52,053 | $45,930 – $79,850 | 660 |
| Vermont | $60,980 | +22.0% | $49,568 | $46,620 – $71,270 | 50 |
| Illinois | $60,820 | −4.6% | $48,183 | $46,860 – $104,280 | 290 |
| Missouri | $59,570 | +6.7% | $48,182 | $41,430 – $83,570 | 150 |
| Nevada | $59,070 | — | $49,643 | $47,220 – $66,590 | 110 |
| Colorado | $58,540 | −1.5% | $47,350 | $52,340 – $82,140 | 270 |
| Florida | $58,500 | +24.5% | $49,185 | $37,620 – $91,820 | 250 |
| Minnesota | $57,940 | +15.0% | $46,318 | $42,010 – $74,270 | 380 |
| Maryland | $57,880 | +12.0% | $46,301 | $46,320 – $77,520 | 280 |
| Ohio | $57,060 | +21.8% | $47,241 | $41,000 – $86,300 | 230 |
| Massachusetts | $56,850 | −1.0% | $45,236 | $44,900 – $73,300 | 260 |
| New Jersey | $56,730 | +8.3% | $46,176 | $38,920 – $77,450 | 590 |
| Wisconsin | $55,690 | +11.2% | $45,258 | $40,600 – $73,030 | 540 |
| New York | $55,470 | +5.6% | $44,352 | $44,270 – $75,080 | 580 |
| California | $54,200 | +6.4% | $43,724 | $40,790 – $76,330 | 3,990 |
| Georgia | $53,150 | +27.0% | $42,750 | $33,040 – $80,620 | 260 |
| Michigan | $52,130 | −2.5% | $42,102 | $39,290 – $68,610 | 250 |
| Mississippi | $51,460 | −20.3% | $42,202 | $35,930 – $78,520 | 50 |
| Iowa | $50,740 | +6.6% | $41,673 | $40,200 – $66,370 | 420 |
| Oregon | $50,590 | +3.6% | $39,232 | $41,090 – $63,260 | 820 |
| Connecticut | $49,700 | +2.3% | $40,802 | $36,930 – $61,150 | — |
| Idaho | $48,980 | +8.3% | $40,048 | $37,980 – $65,580 | 560 |
| South Dakota | $48,760 | +6.0% | $41,359 | $33,790 – $54,440 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $48,640 | +8.8% | $39,830 | $39,740 – $63,280 | 130 |
| Nebraska | $48,530 | +4.5% | $39,845 | $44,840 – $59,670 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,060 | −2.0% | $39,321 | $37,590 – $62,200 | 590 |
| Texas | $47,760 | +3.4% | $40,555 | $37,040 – $76,130 | 900 |
| Oklahoma | $47,240 | — | $38,557 | $38,120 – $52,690 | 50 |
| Arkansas | $46,810 | +0.9% | $38,179 | $42,600 – $69,120 | 140 |
| New Mexico | $46,500 | +5.7% | $38,511 | $35,960 – $51,480 | 120 |
| Utah | $45,110 | −7.5% | $37,362 | $41,240 – $84,930 | 80 |
| Indiana | $44,630 | −7.1% | $36,753 | $40,410 – $68,550 | 530 |
| Louisiana | $44,310 | — | $36,840 | $35,280 – $63,230 | 30 |
| Alabama | $40,940 | — | $33,293 | $38,530 – $62,060 | 30 |
| Kansas | $39,930 | +11.5% | $32,835 | $33,390 – $71,320 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $39,480 | +0.5% | $32,690 | $36,270 – $60,040 | 40 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Technician | $49,630 | Associate's degree | +5.4% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,350 | Associate's degree | +3.6% |
| Forest and Conservation Technician | $54,560 | Associate's degree | -2.1% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,090 | Associate's degree | +6.9% |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 | Bachelor's degree | +7.4% |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 | Associate's degree | +4.9% |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,990 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,280 | Associate's degree | +4.4% |
| Hydrologic Technician | $64,790 | Associate's degree | -1.3% |
| Forensic Science Technician | $72,060 | Bachelor's degree | +13.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food science technician make?
The national median salary for food science technicians is $52,130 a year ($25.06 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,820 and the top 10% earn over $78,820. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays food science technicians the most?
Virginia has the highest median pay at $65,360.
How many food science technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 14,600 people work as food science technicians nationwide.