How much does a Food Science Technicians make?

The median annual wage for Food Science Technicians is $52,130 ($25 per hour). Pay ranges from about $39,820 at the 10th percentile to $78,820 at the 90th percentile.

What is the average salary for a Food Science Technicians?

The average (mean) annual salary is $56,660, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Which state pays Food Science Technicianss the most?

Virginia has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $65,360.

Is Food Science Technicians a growing occupation?

BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 15K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.

What does a Food Science Technicians do?

Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.; Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.; Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies..

Food Science Technicians Salary

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · 15K employed in the U.S.

Median annual

$52,130

Median hourly

$25

Average annual

$56,660

Typical range

$39,820–$78,820

Pay distribution

10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.

10th$39,820

25th$46,020

Median$52,130

75th$63,270

90th$78,820

What this role pays

The median annual salary for Food Science Technicians is $52,130 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $25 an hour at a full-time schedule.

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..

Most earn between $39,820 and $78,820 a year. There are roughly 15K people employed as food science technicians in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.

Salary calculator

Convert your pay and see where it lands for Food Science Technicians.

Pay amountPay period

Hours / weekWeeks / year

Hourly: $25.06
Daily: $201
Weekly: $1,003
Bi-weekly: $2,005
Monthly: $4,344
Annual: $52,130

$52,130 a year is around the 50th percentile for Food Science Technicianss. The median is $52,130.

Food Science Technicians — U.S., May 2025
Percentile	Hourly	Annual
10th percentile	$19.10	$39,820
25th percentile	$22.10	$46,020
Median	$25.10	$52,130
75th percentile	$30.40	$63,270
90th percentile	$37.90	$78,820
Average (mean)	$27.20	$56,660
Employment	14,600 people

Key skills

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Science
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Coordination
Complex Problem Solving
Quality Control Analysis

Highest-paying states

Median annual wage by state.

1Virginia$65,360
2Kentucky$64,770
3Washington$62,070
4Vermont$60,980
5Illinois$60,820
6Missouri$59,570
7Nevada$59,070
8Colorado$58,540
9Florida$58,500
10Minnesota$57,940
11Maryland$57,880
12Ohio$57,060

Top-paying metro areas

Median annual wage by metro area.

1Columbus, OH$86,300
2Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN$84,320
3Jacksonville, FL$83,030
4Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$79,850
5Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI$73,030
6Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC$72,950
7Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$66,630
8St. Louis, MO-IL$66,230
9Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$64,620
10Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN$64,480
11Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$63,160
12Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY$61,870

Related job titles

Employers advertise Food Science Technicians roles under these titles.

Related occupations

What a Food Science Technicians does

Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
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.
Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Food Science Technicians make?: The median annual wage for Food Science Technicians is $52,130 ($25 per hour). Pay ranges from about $39,820 at the 10th percentile to $78,820 at the 90th percentile.
What is the average salary for a Food Science Technicians?: The average (mean) annual salary is $56,660, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Which state pays Food Science Technicianss the most?: Virginia has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $65,360.
Is Food Science Technicians a growing occupation?: BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 15K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
What does a Food Science Technicians do?: Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.; Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.; Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies..