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Research food technologist salary
Average research food technologist salary
$69,469
Understanding Research Food Technologist Salaries
The average salary for a Research Food Technologist in the United States is $69,469 annually, with variations based on geographic location and experience. For instance, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries, reflecting the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals in urban centers.
In addition to state differences, factors such as years of experience significantly impact earnings. Entry-level positions may start around $50,000, while seasoned professionals can command salaries exceeding $90,000 per year. Specialized roles within food technology, such as quality control or product development, also tend to offer competitive compensation.
To maximize earning potential, consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications in food science. Engaging in continuous professional development and networking within industry associations can open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Job seekers can find valuable resources and job postings on platforms like Zippia, where you can filter listings based on salary expectations and location.
Key Cities for Research Food Technologists
Major cities often provide the best opportunities for Research Food Technologists. Cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston feature a range of employers in the food production and technology sector, along with competitive salaries. Regularly checking job boards can help you stay informed about the latest openings and industry trends.
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Where can a Research Food Technologist earn more?
Average research food technologist salary by state
The highest-paying states for research food technologists are California, Alaska, and Ohio. The lowest average research food technologist salary states are Kentucky, Florida, and North Dakota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for research food technologists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | $80,124 | $38.52 |
| 2 | California | $99,636 | $47.90 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $73,688 | $35.43 |
| 4 | South Carolina | $79,278 | $38.11 |
| 5 | Ohio | $82,391 | $39.61 |
| 6 | Alaska | $98,381 | $47.30 |
| 7 | Tennessee | $68,039 | $32.71 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $74,429 | $35.78 |
| 9 | Nevada | $77,605 | $37.31 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $68,050 | $32.72 |
| 11 | Kansas | $74,667 | $35.90 |
| 12 | Michigan | $69,204 | $33.27 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $69,416 | $33.37 |
| 14 | Georgia | $71,053 | $34.16 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $71,416 | $34.33 |
| 16 | Delaware | $73,209 | $35.20 |
| 17 | Oregon | $67,879 | $32.63 |
| 18 | New York | $78,357 | $37.67 |
| 19 | Maryland | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| 20 | Washington | $74,603 | $35.87 |
| 21 | Idaho | $68,625 | $32.99 |
| 22 | Mississippi | $60,567 | $29.12 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | $67,127 | $32.27 |
| 24 | Nebraska | $62,381 | $29.99 |
| 25 | Utah | $66,487 | $31.96 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $71,790 | $34.51 |
| 27 | Illinois | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $62,154 | $29.88 |
| 29 | Maine | $60,023 | $28.86 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $57,915 | $27.84 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $60,210 | $28.95 |
| 32 | Texas | $61,357 | $29.50 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $71,610 | $34.43 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $60,843 | $29.25 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $53,013 | $25.49 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $70,997 | $34.13 |
| 37 | Minnesota | $62,145 | $29.88 |
| 38 | Vermont | $51,215 | $24.62 |
| 39 | Alabama | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| 40 | Arizona | $54,605 | $26.25 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $53,305 | $25.63 |
| 42 | Iowa | $59,497 | $28.60 |
| 43 | Virginia | $56,629 | $27.23 |
| 44 | Florida | $50,939 | $24.49 |
| 45 | Indiana | $47,494 | $22.83 |
| 46 | Missouri | $52,887 | $25.43 |
| 47 | North Dakota | $49,346 | $23.72 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $51,093 | $24.56 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $51,994 | $25.00 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $46,399 | $22.31 |
| 51 | Colorado | $39,177 | $18.84 |
Highest paying cities for research food technologists
The highest-paying cities for research food technologists are Oakland, CA, New Brunswick, NJ, and Minneapolis, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $110,661 | $53.20 |
| 2 | New Brunswick, NJ | $71,293 | $34.28 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $62,024 | $29.82 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $60,657 | $29.16 |
| 5 | Fort Pierce, FL | $51,114 | $24.57 |
| 6 | Fargo, ND | $49,583 | $23.84 |
| 7 | Greeley, CO | $38,757 | $18.63 |
Research food technologist salary details
A research food technologist's salary ranges from $41,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $116,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a research food technologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $116,000 | $9,667 | $56 |
| 75th Percentile | $91,000 | $7,583 | $44 |
| Average | $69,469 | $5,789 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| 10th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
Highest paying research food technologist jobs
The highest paying types of research food technologists are food safety scientist, food scientist, and product technology scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Safety Scientist | $80,238 | $6,687 | $38.58 | 106,128 |
| Food Scientist | $74,345 | $6,195 | $35.74 | 93,145 |
| Research Fellow | $53,823 | $4,485 | $25.88 | 59,746 |
| Food Technologist | $62,229 | $5,186 | $29.92 | 103,677 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for research food technologists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
James Adams
Adjunct Professor, Texas Woman’s University
It is also well known that the salaries in certain parts of the food industry are different and, in some cases, may influence the decision as to what part of the industry the student would like to be a part of, moving forward. Whether it can be proven, I cannot say, but the unwritten understanding is that the chocolate/candy/confection sections of the food industry pay higher starting salaries than, say, the meat or vegetable processing part of our business.
The great thing about the food industry is that there are opportunities that open up for advancement, growth, and learning every day since the landscape is ever-changing. As responsibility increases, salaries follow.
Top companies hiring research food technologists now:
Which companies pay research food technologists the most?
Research food technologist salaries at Rutgers University and University Of Minnesota Physicians are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average research food technologist salary at companies like US Meat Animal Research Center and United States Department of Justice are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rutgers University | $74,213 | $35.68 |
| 2 | University Of Minnesota Physicians | $68,310 | $32.84 |
| 3 | US Meat Animal Research Center | $67,266 | $32.34 |
| 4 | United States Department of Justice | $66,298 | $31.87 |
| 5 | United Food Group | $60,418 | $29.05 |
| 6 | Good Eggs | $60,118 | $28.90 |
| 7 | Pilgrim's | $54,277 | $26.09 |
| 8 | USDA | $53,532 | $25.74 |
| 9 | JBS USA | $45,068 | $21.67 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Research food technologist salary trends
The average research food technologist salary has risen by $14,291 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average research food technologist earned $55,178 annually, but today, they earn $69,469 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for research food technologists over the last decade.
Compare research food technologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average research food technologist salary over time
Compare research food technologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Research food technologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $69,500 | $33.40 | +6.1% |
| 2024 | $65,200 | $31.36 | +5.3% |
| 2023 | $61,800 | $29.69 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $60,200 | $28.95 | -0.5% |
| 2021 | $60,500 | $29.08 | -3.0% |
Recently added research food technologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torchy's Taco | Food Expo | Fayetteville, AR | 06/29/2025 | $25,044 |
| Torchy's Tacos Careers | Food Expo | Cedar Park, TX | 06/25/2025 | $25,044 |
| Torchy's Tacos Careers | Food Expo | Columbus, OH | 06/22/2025 | $27,131 |
| Torchy's Taco | Food Expo | Rockville, MD | 06/10/2025 | $33,392 |
| Torchy's Taco | Food Expo | Orlando, FL | 06/02/2025 | $27,131 |
| Torchy's Tacos Careers | Food Expo | Phoenix, AZ | 05/29/2025 | $31,305 |
| Olive & Finch | Food Expo | Denver, CO | 05/27/2025 | $50,088 |
| Torchy's Taco | Food Expo | San Antonio, TX | 05/24/2025 | $25,044 |
| Torchy's Tacos Careers | Food Expo | Altamonte Springs, FL | 05/06/2025 | $25,044 |
| Torchy's Tacos Careers | Food Expo | Lake Charles, LA | 05/02/2025 | $21,914 |
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