How much does a food science technician make?
The median food science technician in the United States earns $52,130 per year, about $25.06 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all food science technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-4013.
Food science technician salary range
Pay for food science technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,820 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $78,820. The average (mean) wage of $56,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,820 | $19.14 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,020 | $22.12 | |
| Median (50th) | $52,130 | $25.06 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $63,270 | $30.42 | |
| 90th percentile | $78,820 | $37.89 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for food science technicians (SOC 19-4013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Food science technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Food science technicians earn the most in Virginia at $65,360 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $39,480. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $65,360 | 150 |
| Kentucky | $64,770 | 160 |
| Washington | $62,070 | 660 |
| Vermont | $60,980 | 50 |
| Illinois | $60,820 | 290 |
| Missouri | $59,570 | 150 |
| Nevada | $59,070 | 110 |
| Colorado | $58,540 | 270 |
| Florida | $58,500 | 250 |
| Minnesota | $57,940 | 380 |
| Maryland | $57,880 | 280 |
| Ohio | $57,060 | 230 |
| Massachusetts | $56,850 | 260 |
| New Jersey | $56,730 | 590 |
| Wisconsin | $55,690 | 540 |
| New York | $55,470 | 580 |
| California | $54,200 | 3,990 |
| Georgia | $53,150 | 260 |
| Michigan | $52,130 | 250 |
| Mississippi | $51,460 | 50 |
| Iowa | $50,740 | 420 |
| Oregon | $50,590 | 820 |
| Connecticut | $49,700 | N/A |
| Idaho | $48,980 | 560 |
| South Dakota | $48,760 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $48,640 | 130 |
| Nebraska | $48,530 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,060 | 590 |
| Texas | $47,760 | 900 |
| Oklahoma | $47,240 | 50 |
| Arkansas | $46,810 | 140 |
| New Mexico | $46,500 | 120 |
| Utah | $45,110 | 80 |
| Indiana | $44,630 | 530 |
| Louisiana | $44,310 | 30 |
| Alabama | $40,940 | 30 |
| Kansas | $39,930 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $39,480 | 40 |
State median wages for food science technicians (SOC 19-4013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for food science technicians
The BLS projects employment of food science technicians to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 20,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 21,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,000 openings a year for food science technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a food science technician
The typical entry-level education for food science technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a food science technician earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Virginia, $65,360) and the lowest (South Carolina, $39,480) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 14,600 people work as food science technicians in the United States. At $52,130 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Food science technician salary FAQ
How much does a food science technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a food science technician is $25.06. The middle half of food science technicians earn between $22.12 and $30.42 per hour.
What is the highest food science technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of food science technicians earn more than $78,820 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a food science technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a food science technician is $52,130. The average (mean) wage of $56,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a food science technician a well paid job?
At $52,130 a year, a food science technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 14,600 people work as food science technicians in the United States.
Which state pays food science technicians the most?
Virginia has the highest median salary for food science technicians at $65,360 a year. Kentucky ($64,770) and Washington ($62,070) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a food science technician a good career?
Employment of food science technicians is projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a food science technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for food science technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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