Food Science Technicians Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for food science technicians in the U.S. is $52,130 ($25.06 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $52,130
- Mean annual wage
- $56,660
- Median hourly wage
- $25.06
- Employment
- 14,600
14,600 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,820 | $19.14 |
| 25th percentile | $46,020 | $22.12 |
| Median (50th) | $52,130 | $25.06 |
| 75th percentile | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| 90th percentile | $78,820 | $37.89 |
Highest-paying states for food science technicians
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lowest-paying states
- South Carolina: $39,480 median annual wage
- Kansas: $39,930 median annual wage
- Alabama: $40,940 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $44,310 median annual wage
- Indiana: $44,630 median annual wage
About this occupation
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
Typical tasks
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
- Train newly hired laboratory personnel.
- Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Associate's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 8.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 23.5% |
| Some college, no degree | 22.2% |
| Associate's degree | 17.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 22.2% |
| Master's degree | 5.6% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.5% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.