Food Science Technicians Salary by State
The national median pay for food science technicians is $52,130 a year. By state, it ranges from $39,480 in South Carolina to $65,360 in Virginia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $39,820
- 25th percentile
- $46,020
- Median
- $52,130
- 75th percentile
- $63,270
- Top 10%
- $78,820
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 14,600 jobs.
Median pay in 38 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $65,360 | +25% | $47,250 | $78,700 | 150 |
| 2 | Kentucky | $64,770 | +24% | $42,170 | $84,410 | 160 |
| 3 | Washington | $62,070 | +19% | $45,930 | $79,850 | 660 |
| 4 | Vermont | $60,980 | +17% | $46,620 | $71,270 | 50 |
| 5 | Illinois | $60,820 | +17% | $46,860 | $104,280 | 290 |
| 6 | Missouri | $59,570 | +14% | $41,430 | $83,570 | 150 |
| 7 | Nevada | $59,070 | +13% | $47,220 | $66,590 | 110 |
| 8 | Colorado | $58,540 | +12% | $52,340 | $82,140 | 270 |
| 9 | Florida | $58,500 | +12% | $37,620 | $91,820 | 250 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $57,940 | +11% | $42,010 | $74,270 | 380 |
| 11 | Maryland | $57,880 | +11% | $46,320 | $77,520 | 280 |
| 12 | Ohio | $57,060 | +9% | $41,000 | $86,300 | 230 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $56,850 | +9% | $44,900 | $73,300 | 260 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $56,730 | +9% | $38,920 | $77,450 | 590 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $55,690 | +7% | $40,600 | $73,030 | 540 |
| 16 | New York | $55,470 | +6% | $44,270 | $75,080 | 580 |
| 17 | California | $54,200 | +4% | $40,790 | $76,330 | 3,990 |
| 18 | Georgia | $53,150 | +2% | $33,040 | $80,620 | 260 |
| 19 | Michigan | $52,130 | 0% | $39,290 | $68,610 | 250 |
| 20 | Mississippi | $51,460 | −1% | $35,930 | $78,520 | 50 |
| 21 | Iowa | $50,740 | −3% | $40,200 | $66,370 | 420 |
| 22 | Oregon | $50,590 | −3% | $41,090 | $63,260 | 820 |
| 23 | Connecticut | $49,700 | −5% | $36,930 | $61,150 | Not published |
| 24 | Idaho | $48,980 | −6% | $37,980 | $65,580 | 560 |
| 25 | South Dakota | $48,760 | −6% | $33,790 | $54,440 | 100 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $48,640 | −7% | $39,740 | $63,280 | 130 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $48,530 | −7% | $44,840 | $59,670 | 170 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $48,060 | −8% | $37,590 | $62,200 | 590 |
| 29 | Texas | $47,760 | −8% | $37,040 | $76,130 | 900 |
| 30 | Oklahoma | $47,240 | −9% | $38,120 | $52,690 | 50 |
| 31 | Arkansas | $46,810 | −10% | $42,600 | $69,120 | 140 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $46,500 | −11% | $35,960 | $51,480 | 120 |
| 33 | Utah | $45,110 | −13% | $41,240 | $84,930 | 80 |
| 34 | Indiana | $44,630 | −14% | $40,410 | $68,550 | 530 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $44,310 | −15% | $35,280 | $63,230 | 30 |
| 36 | Alabama | $40,940 | −21% | $38,530 | $62,060 | 30 |
| 37 | Kansas | $39,930 | −23% | $33,390 | $71,320 | 60 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $39,480 | −24% | $36,270 | $60,040 | 40 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Food Science Technicians salary questions
Which state pays food science technicians the most?
Virginia, with a median of $65,360 a year (+25% vs. the national median of $52,130). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays food science technicians the least?
South Carolina, with a median of $39,480 a year (−24% vs. national).
Where do most food science technicians work?
California has the most jobs, about 3,990, with a median of $54,200.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.