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Food science technician salary
Average food science technician salary
$36,799
Understanding the Salary of Food Science Technicians
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Food Science Technician is approximately $36,799 per year. This figure can be influenced by various factors such as experience, education, and geographical location. For instance, states like California and New York often offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled technicians.
Food Science Technicians are responsible for ensuring food products meet safety standards and quality specifications. They may work in laboratories, food production facilities, or regulatory agencies. Positions in larger metropolitan areas tend to offer more competitive salaries. For example, a technician in a coastal city may earn significantly more than one in a rural area.
Additionally, technicians with specialized skills or certifications may command higher pay. Exploring job boards like Zippia can provide insights into current openings and salary ranges, helping you make informed career decisions. Whether you’re starting your career or looking to advance, the food science field offers numerous opportunities for growth and development.
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Where can a Food Science Technician earn more?
Food science technician salary estimates from across the web
Average food science technician salary by state
The highest-paying states for food science technicians are Alaska, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The lowest average food science technician salary states are Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for food science technicians
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $50,338 | $24.20 |
| 2 | Vermont | $47,813 | $22.99 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $48,764 | $23.44 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $47,705 | $22.94 |
| 5 | Delaware | $44,196 | $21.25 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $48,568 | $23.35 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $48,678 | $23.40 |
| 8 | Nevada | $43,463 | $20.90 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $35,609 | $17.12 |
| 10 | Maine | $35,585 | $17.11 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| 12 | Mississippi | $34,388 | $16.53 |
| 13 | South Dakota | $34,904 | $16.78 |
| 14 | Kentucky | $34,489 | $16.58 |
| 15 | Maryland | $43,023 | $20.68 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $42,259 | $20.32 |
| 17 | Utah | $39,491 | $18.99 |
| 18 | California | $44,555 | $21.42 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $34,201 | $16.44 |
| 20 | Montana | $34,092 | $16.39 |
| 21 | New York | $40,616 | $19.53 |
| 22 | Louisiana | $34,942 | $16.80 |
| 23 | Ohio | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 24 | Iowa | $32,241 | $15.50 |
| 25 | District of Columbia | $42,616 | $20.49 |
| 26 | Texas | $35,415 | $17.03 |
| 27 | Michigan | $31,938 | $15.35 |
| 28 | Missouri | $34,001 | $16.35 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $37,902 | $18.22 |
| 30 | Nebraska | $34,176 | $16.43 |
| 31 | Colorado | $33,873 | $16.29 |
| 32 | Illinois | $32,884 | $15.81 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $33,430 | $16.07 |
| 34 | Kansas | $31,255 | $15.03 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $31,253 | $15.03 |
| 36 | Arizona | $31,554 | $15.17 |
| 37 | Minnesota | $31,313 | $15.05 |
| 38 | Indiana | $30,101 | $14.47 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $29,630 | $14.25 |
| 40 | Florida | $29,591 | $14.23 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $29,195 | $14.04 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $28,863 | $13.88 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $29,134 | $14.01 |
| 44 | Georgia | $29,249 | $14.06 |
| 45 | Virginia | $30,815 | $14.81 |
| 46 | Alabama | $29,347 | $14.11 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $30,526 | $14.68 |
| 48 | Oregon | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| 49 | Washington | $31,086 | $14.95 |
| 50 | Idaho | $29,771 | $14.31 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $29,191 | $14.03 |
Highest paying cities for food science technicians
The highest-paying cities for food science technicians are Salinas, CA, East Orange, NJ, and Southampton, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salinas, CA | $45,902 | $22.07 |
| 2 | East Orange, NJ | $41,474 | $19.94 |
| 3 | Southampton, NY | $41,441 | $19.92 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $35,444 | $17.04 |
| 5 | Allentown, PA | $33,992 | $16.34 |
| 6 | Minnetonka, MN | $31,208 | $15.00 |
| 7 | Jacksonville, FL | $29,520 | $14.19 |
Food science technician salary details
A food science technician's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $48,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a food science technician's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| Average | $36,799 | $3,067 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying food science technician jobs
The highest paying types of food science technicians are yeast culture developer, food analyst, and milk tester.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technician | $38,045 | $3,170 | $18.29 | 596,842 |
| Biological Science Technician | $35,390 | $2,949 | $17.01 | 13,801 |
Top companies hiring food science technicians now:
Which companies pay food science technicians the most?
Food science technician salaries at Echo Lake Foods and Mérieux NutriSciences are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average food science technician salary at companies like Sucocítrico Cutrale and Kelly Services are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Echo Lake Foods | $45,379 | $21.82 |
| 2 | Mérieux NutriSciences | $42,868 | $20.61 |
| 3 | Sucocítrico Cutrale | $38,272 | $18.40 |
| 4 | Kelly Services | $35,636 | $17.13 |
| 5 | Southeastern Grocers | $34,183 | $16.43 |
| 6 | University of Arkansas | $26,922 | $12.94 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Food science technician salary trends
The average food science technician salary has risen by $7,644 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average food science technician earned $29,155 annually, but today, they earn $36,799 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for food science technicians over the last decade.
Compare food science technician salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average food science technician salary over time
Compare food science technician salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Food science technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $36,800 | $17.69 | +0.4% |
| 2025 | $36,600 | $17.62 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $35,500 | $17.07 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $34,700 | $16.67 | +5.9% |
| 2022 | $32,600 | $15.69 | +2.8% |
Recently added food science technician salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actalent | R&D Food Science Lab Technician | Minnetonka, MN | 03/19/2025 | $43,827 |
| Actalent | Food Science Lab Technician | Columbus, OH | 02/23/2025 | $45,914 |
| Archer Daniels Midland | Food Science Lab Tech-Fort | Fort Collins, CO | 10/24/2024 | $45,914 |
| Astrix Technology | Food Science Technician | Columbus, OH | 09/25/2024 | $45,914 |
| Southeastern Grocers | Food Science Technician Hourly Position) | Jacksonville, FL | 05/13/2024 | $39,653 |
| Cornell University | Technician III-Food Science | Ithaca, NY | 03/26/2024 | $45,914 |
| Kelly Services | QA Food Science Laboratory Technician | Commerce, CA | 02/10/2024 | $56,349 |
| Cornell University | Technician II-Department of Food Science | Ithaca, NY | 08/05/2023 | $41,573 |
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