Food Scientist and Technologist Salary
Food Scientists and Technologists earn a median $88,720 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What food scientists and technologists do
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.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.2% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 1,000
- Self-employed
- 6%
Employment of food scientists and technologists is projected to grow 6.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,000 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 Scientist and Technologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,688
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,501
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,286
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$71,245
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,920 | $25.44 | $44,701 |
| 25th percentile | $68,810 | $33.08 | $57,238 |
| Median (50th) | $88,720 | $42.65 | $71,245 |
| 75th percentile | $116,650 | $56.08 | $90,893 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,280 | $69.85 | $110,565 |
Food Scientist and Technologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $108,660 | +52.5% | $79,910 | $41,140 – $163,900 | 90 |
| Missouri | $105,930 | +4.3% | $79,310 | $57,400 – $154,540 | 390 |
| New Jersey | $104,340 | +1.7% | $77,777 | $64,330 – $167,470 | 630 |
| Massachusetts | $103,580 | +4.5% | $76,740 | $68,990 – $183,260 | 420 |
| Florida | $101,160 | +9.1% | $79,996 | $48,090 – $139,480 | 170 |
| Colorado | $99,580 | +15.3% | $75,211 | $66,280 – $161,640 | 320 |
| Minnesota | $99,280 | +5.2% | $73,446 | $61,360 – $152,600 | 670 |
| Kentucky | $98,710 | +36.5% | $74,935 | $47,480 – $137,650 | 170 |
| Alabama | $97,480 | −1.7% | $72,798 | $58,510 – $122,790 | 60 |
| Washington | $94,990 | −1.1% | $75,655 | $56,520 – $162,740 | 250 |
| Illinois | $94,340 | +17.9% | $70,673 | $63,730 – $166,670 | 780 |
| New York | $94,070 | −1.7% | $70,498 | $58,740 – $137,570 | 660 |
| California | $93,950 | +9.9% | $69,195 | $60,060 – $140,810 | 2,210 |
| Virginia | $93,590 | +14.0% | $70,103 | $66,000 – $160,700 | 70 |
| Maryland | $93,330 | +17.8% | $70,418 | $59,640 – $145,650 | 270 |
| Texas | $90,610 | −2.3% | $72,574 | $46,810 – $136,100 | 840 |
| Arizona | $90,450 | — | $70,409 | $55,890 – $134,320 | — |
| Maine | $89,480 | — | $66,877 | $56,300 – $122,480 | 30 |
| Rhode Island | $87,970 | — | $68,035 | $65,580 – $100,590 | 40 |
| Georgia | $86,050 | +24.6% | $65,523 | $31,030 – $151,280 | 560 |
| Kansas | $85,130 | −1.1% | $64,768 | $51,670 – $146,820 | 380 |
| Oklahoma | $84,750 | — | $65,183 | $63,030 – $127,780 | 50 |
| Arkansas | $84,330 | −8.9% | $65,080 | $49,120 – $165,790 | 310 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,380 | +1.2% | $64,928 | $54,460 – $120,730 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $83,020 | +9.1% | $64,215 | $57,410 – $131,840 | 410 |
| Iowa | $82,010 | +29.3% | $64,059 | $50,230 – $111,310 | 380 |
| Tennessee | $81,760 | +2.5% | $66,348 | $64,660 – $105,670 | 70 |
| Oregon | $81,660 | +5.2% | $59,962 | $58,390 – $118,250 | 270 |
| Nevada | $80,580 | — | $65,518 | $52,890 – $106,660 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $79,840 | +24.4% | $62,321 | $49,850 – $138,460 | 230 |
| New Mexico | $79,130 | — | $61,945 | $53,170 – $100,350 | 30 |
| Idaho | $77,440 | +14.1% | $60,313 | $41,600 – $117,340 | 140 |
| Michigan | $76,940 | −11.2% | $59,938 | $55,620 – $134,910 | 430 |
| Ohio | $76,780 | +22.9% | $61,516 | $46,870 – $121,830 | 270 |
| Utah | $73,280 | +5.9% | $58,051 | $53,200 – $126,410 | 120 |
| Nebraska | $72,230 | +7.3% | $57,237 | $50,710 – $129,740 | 230 |
| South Dakota | $71,330 | +4.5% | $59,011 | $41,990 – $147,530 | 90 |
| Indiana | $69,350 | −14.4% | $55,601 | $44,180 – $108,410 | 300 |
| Montana | $52,230 | — | $42,449 | $40,070 – $76,250 | 30 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $78,850 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% |
| Animal Scientist | $68,940 | Bachelor's degree | +5.8% |
| Microbiologist | $87,990 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree | +18.7% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $93,750 | Bachelor's degree | +6.3% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,920 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | $76,780 | Bachelor's degree | +3.6% |
| Forester | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +2.2% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | Doctoral or professional degree | +12.6% |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 | Bachelor's degree | +5.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food scientist and technologist make?
The national median salary for food scientists and technologists is $88,720 a year ($42.65 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $52,920 and the top 10% earn over $145,280. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays food scientists and technologists the most?
South Carolina has the highest median pay at $108,660.
How many food scientists and technologists are there in the U.S.?
About 13,060 people work as food scientists and technologists nationwide.