Food Science Technician Salary in 2026
How Much Do Food Science Technicians Make?
Food Science Technicians earn a median annual salary of $49,430 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $37,760 at the 10th percentile to $75,100 at the 90th percentile — a range of $37,340. The highest-paying state is Mississippi at $64,600.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,760 |
| 25th percentile | $43,990 |
| Median (50th) | $49,430 |
| 75th percentile | $60,940 |
| 90th percentile | $75,100 |
Food Science Technician Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Mississippitop | $64,600 |
| Illinois | $63,730 |
| Colorado | $59,450 |
| Virginia | $59,110 |
| Massachusetts | $57,400 |
| Missouri | $55,830 |
| Michigan | $53,480 |
| Tennessee | $52,710 |
| New York | $52,530 |
| Kentucky | $52,410 |
| New Jersey | $52,390 |
| Maryland | $51,690 |
| California | $50,960 |
| Minnesota | $50,380 |
| Wisconsin | $50,080 |
| Vermont | $49,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,050 |
| Oregon | $48,840 |
| Utah | $48,790 |
| Connecticut | $48,580 |
| Indiana | $48,060 |
| Iowa | $47,610 |
| Washington | $47,420 |
| Florida | $46,980 |
| Ohio | $46,830 |
| Nebraska | $46,450 |
| Arkansas | $46,400 |
| Texas | $46,170 |
| South Dakota | $46,000 |
| Idaho | $45,230 |
| North Carolina | $44,720 |
| New Mexico | $43,990 |
| Georgia | $41,840 |
| South Carolina | $39,300 |
| Kansas | $35,810 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Food Science Technicians
Food Science Technician Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$37,760 – $43,990 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$49,430 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$60,940 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $75,100+ |
How to Earn More as a Food Science Technician
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Food Science Technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earn $104,600 — $55,170 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($60,940) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Food Science Technician Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Food Science Technicianthis career | $49,430 |
| Quality Control Systems Manager | $121,440 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technician | $64,790 |
| Animal Scientist | $79,120 |
| Food Scientists and Technologist | $85,310 |
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SOC: 19-4013.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.