Salary guide, May 2025
Food Scientist pay by metro, ranked
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
Of 393 metros, BLS published an exact annual median for 64. The highest is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $113,350 and the lowest is Lincoln, NE at $56,250. 0 more are published but not rankable and 329 are not published by bls.
Broader occupation · SOC 19-1012 Food Scientists and Technologists
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$113,350
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$110,810
- St. Louis, MO-IL$108,200
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$107,970
- Ann Arbor, MI$105,420
- Kansas City, MO-KS$105,350
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$104,200
- Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$103,580
- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR$103,300
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$101,760
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$100,390
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$100,000
- Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$99,900
- Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY$99,530
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$98,930
- San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX$98,220
- Merced, CA$96,430
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$96,210
- Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX$95,030
- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR$94,770
- Fresno, CA$93,750
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$93,670
- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$93,330
- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA$92,690
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$91,060
Bars show the top 25 of 64 ranked. The table below lists all 64. Literal BLS medians, May 2025.
| Rank | Metro | BLS occupation | 25th | Median | 75th | Employment | LQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $81,360 | $113,350 | $134,160 | 130 | 0.48 |
| 2 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $88,130 | $110,810 | $135,060 | 50 | 0.55 |
| 3 | St. Louis, MO-IL | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $78,640 | $108,200 | $135,890 | 270 | 2.44 |
| 4 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $62,780 | $107,970 | $137,940 | 320 | 1.31 |
| 5 | Ann Arbor, MI | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $85,510 | $105,420 | $110,390 | 40 | 2.34 |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO-KS | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $78,070 | $105,350 | $136,000 | 180 | 1.91 |
| 7 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $81,180 | $104,200 | $130,870 | 730 | 0.92 |
| 8 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $92,080 | $103,580 | $157,100 | 370 | 1.64 |
| 9 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $68,370 | $103,300 | $139,880 | 190 | 8.13 |
| 10 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $83,370 | $101,760 | $134,370 | 440 | 2.65 |
| 11 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $76,970 | $100,390 | $130,910 | 610 | 1.62 |
| 12 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $79,450 | $100,000 | $121,800 | 120 | 0.67 |
| 13 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $80,490 | $99,900 | $132,450 | 220 | 1.62 |
| 14 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $76,960 | $99,530 | $129,810 | 110 | 2.35 |
| 15 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $85,450 | $98,930 | $128,990 | 380 | 1.89 |
| 16 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $75,290 | $98,220 | $127,740 | 60 | 0.68 |
| 17 | Merced, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $78,760 | $96,430 | $119,670 | 40 | 5.57 |
| 18 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $76,270 | $96,210 | $119,150 | 230 | 0.93 |
| 19 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $91,100 | $95,030 | $110,510 | 60 | 0.54 |
| 20 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $65,230 | $94,770 | $125,040 | 50 | 1.7 |
| 21 | Fresno, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $58,840 | $93,750 | $108,300 | 110 | 2.8 |
| 22 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $77,190 | $93,670 | $118,560 | 410 | 1.19 |
| 23 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $73,270 | $93,330 | $119,080 | 150 | 1.33 |
| 24 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $80,980 | $92,690 | $105,480 | 40 | 1.27 |
| 25 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $72,760 | $91,060 | $117,340 | 550 | 1.04 |
| 26 | Omaha, NE-IA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $70,080 | $90,770 | $123,890 | 60 | 1.54 |
| 27 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $80,510 | $90,210 | $107,680 | 130 | 1.35 |
| 28 | Salinas, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $71,460 | $90,080 | $120,730 | 30 | 2.2 |
| 29 | Rochester, NY | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $69,140 | $90,040 | $108,500 | 60 | 1.38 |
| 30 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $71,870 | $90,040 | $109,000 | 60 | 2.52 |
| 31 | Visalia, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $75,660 | $89,050 | $107,670 | 60 | 4.38 |
| 32 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $74,700 | $88,210 | $103,150 | 100 | 0.38 |
| 33 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $75,300 | $88,010 | $109,080 | 110 | 1.25 |
| 34 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $56,420 | $87,270 | $123,600 | 40 | 0.35 |
| 35 | Lancaster, PA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $70,840 | $86,320 | $105,220 | 40 | 1.73 |
| 36 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $74,430 | $86,230 | $106,130 | 90 | 1.27 |
| 37 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $77,730 | $86,150 | $90,000 | 70 | 1.14 |
| 38 | Salem, OR | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $71,260 | $85,960 | $101,590 | 30 | 2.03 |
| 39 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $70,970 | $85,930 | $119,990 | 80 | 0.59 |
| 40 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $66,460 | $85,610 | $112,430 | 90 | 5.09 |
| 41 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $69,790 | $85,360 | $104,670 | 170 | 1.17 |
| 42 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $64,840 | $83,140 | $112,450 | 40 | 1.36 |
| 43 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $71,250 | $82,640 | $94,900 | 50 | 1.36 |
| 44 | Modesto, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $66,390 | $80,960 | $105,050 | 80 | 4.66 |
| 45 | Napa, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $77,050 | $80,320 | $96,930 | 80 | 12.25 |
| 46 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $66,360 | $80,050 | $97,380 | 150 | 1.48 |
| 47 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $69,410 | $79,900 | $100,960 | 50 | 1.64 |
| 48 | Wichita, KS | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $65,040 | $79,630 | $99,990 | 60 | 2.14 |
| 49 | Columbus, OH | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $48,570 | $79,560 | $112,920 | 90 | 0.93 |
| 50 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $62,640 | $78,610 | $94,110 | 70 | 1.37 |
| 51 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $62,390 | $78,260 | $100,990 | 40 | 6.35 |
| 52 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $54,150 | $76,580 | $104,600 | 160 | 4.64 |
| 53 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $64,010 | $75,980 | $113,990 | 50 | 1.51 |
| 54 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $56,500 | $74,150 | $100,310 | 30 | 0.55 |
| 55 | Boise City, ID | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $43,820 | $73,420 | $81,430 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS |
| 56 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $73,280 | $73,280 | $116,530 | 50 | 0.65 |
| 57 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $57,570 | $69,970 | $87,870 | 70 | 0.8 |
| 58 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $68,590 | $68,590 | $85,780 | 110 | 1.79 |
| 59 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $61,380 | $67,790 | $85,100 | 130 | 0.81 |
| 60 | Hanford-Corcoran, CA | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $66,120 | $66,120 | $101,060 | 30 | 7.44 |
| 61 | Madison, WI | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $60,490 | $66,080 | $94,510 | 40 | 1.04 |
| 62 | Lawrence, KS | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $46,230 | $64,210 | $76,550 | 40 | 8.93 |
| 63 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $63,030 | $63,030 | $93,940 | 40 | 2.02 |
| 64 | Lincoln, NE | Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012) | $50,710 | $56,250 | $60,050 | 70 | 4.88 |
What should you know about not published by BLS?
Abilene, TX, Aguadilla, PR, Akron, OH, Albany, GA, Albany, OR, Albuquerque, NM, Alexandria, LA, Altoona, PA, Amarillo, TX, Ames, IA, Amherst Town-Northampton, MA, Anchorage, AK, Anniston-Oxford, AL, Appleton, WI, Arecibo, PR, Asheville, NC, Athens-Clarke County, GA, Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ, Auburn-Opelika, AL, Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC, Bangor, ME, Barnstable Town, MA, Baton Rouge, LA, Battle Creek, MI, Bay City, MI, Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX, Beckley, WV, Bellingham, WA, Bend, OR, Billings, MT, Binghamton, NY, Birmingham, AL, Bismarck, ND, Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA, Bloomington, IL, Bloomington, IN, Boulder, CO, Bowling Green, KY, Bozeman, MT, Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA, Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT, Brownsville-Harlingen, TX, Brunswick-St. Simons, GA, Burlington, NC, Burlington-South Burlington, VT, Canton-Massillon, OH, Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL, Cape Girardeau, MO-IL, Carson City, NV, Casper, WY, Cedar Rapids, IA, Chambersburg, PA, Champaign-Urbana, IL, Charleston, WV, Charleston-North Charleston, SC, Charlottesville, VA, Chattanooga, TN-GA, Cheyenne, WY, Chico, CA, Clarksville, TN-KY, Cleveland, OH, Cleveland, TN, Coeur d'Alene, ID, College Station-Bryan, TX, Colorado Springs, CO, Columbia, MO, Columbia, SC, Columbus, GA-AL, Columbus, IN, Corpus Christi, TX, Corvallis, OR, Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL, Dalton, GA, Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL, Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL, Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH, Decatur, AL, Decatur, IL, Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL, Dothan, AL, Dover, DE, Dubuque, IA, Duluth, MN-WI, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, Eagle Pass, TX, Eau Claire, WI, El Centro, CA, Elizabethtown, KY, Elkhart-Goshen, IN, Elmira, NY, El Paso, TX, Enid, OK, Erie, PA, Eugene-Springfield, OR, Evansville, IN, Fairbanks-College, AK, Fargo, ND-MN, Farmington, NM, Fayetteville, NC, Flagstaff, AZ, Flint, MI, Florence, SC, Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL, Fond du Lac, WI, Fort Collins-Loveland, CO, Fort Smith, AR-OK, Fort Wayne, IN, Gadsden, AL, Gainesville, FL, Gainesville, GA, Gettysburg, PA, Glens Falls, NY, Goldsboro, NC, Grand Forks, ND-MN, Grand Island, NE, Grand Junction, CO, Grants Pass, OR, Great Falls, MT, Greeley, CO, Green Bay, WI, Greensboro-High Point, NC, Greenville, NC, Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC, Guayama, PR, Gulfport-Biloxi, MS, Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV, Hammond, LA, Harrisonburg, VA, Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT, Hattiesburg, MS, Helena, MT, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC, Hinesville, GA, Homosassa Springs, FL, Hot Springs, AR, Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA, Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Huntsville, AL, Idaho Falls, ID, Iowa City, IA, Ithaca, NY, Jackson, MI, Jackson, MS, Jackson, TN, Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville, NC, Janesville-Beloit, WI, Jefferson City, MO, Johnson City, TN, Johnstown, PA, Jonesboro, AR, Joplin, MO-KS, Kahului-Wailuku, HI, Kalamazoo-Portage, MI, Kankakee, IL, Kennewick-Richland, WA, Kenosha, WI, Killeen-Temple, TX, Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA, Kingston, NY, Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY, Knoxville, TN, Kokomo, IN, La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN, Lafayette, LA, Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN, Lake Charles, LA, Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ, Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL, Laredo, TX, Las Cruces, NM, Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV, Lawton, OK, Lebanon, PA, Lewiston, ID-WA, Lewiston-Auburn, ME, Lexington-Fayette, KY, Lexington Park, MD, Lima, OH, Logan, UT-ID, Longview, TX, Longview-Kelso, WA, Lubbock, TX, Lynchburg, VA, Macon-Bibb County, GA, Manchester-Nashua, NH, distribution management software, KS, Mankato, MN, Mansfield, OH, Mayaguez, PR, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX, Medford, OR, Memphis, TN-MS-AR, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, Michigan City-La Porte, IN, Midland, MI, Midland, TX, Minot, ND, Missoula, MT, Mobile, AL, Monroe, LA, Monroe, MI, Montgomery, AL, Morgantown, WV, Morristown, TN, Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA, Muncie, IN, Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI, Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC, Naples-Marco Island, FL, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, New Haven, CT, New Orleans-Metairie, LA, Niles, MI, North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL, Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT, Ocala, FL, Odessa, TX, Ogden, UT, Oklahoma City, OK, Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, Oshkosh-Neenah, WI, Owensboro, KY, Paducah, KY-IL, Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL, Parkersburg-Vienna, WV, Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL, Peoria, IL, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC, Pittsburgh, PA, Pittsfield, MA, Pocatello, ID, Ponce, PR, Portland-South Portland, ME, Port St. Lucie, FL, Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ, Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT, Pueblo, CO, Punta Gorda, FL, Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI, Rapid City, SD, Reading, PA, Redding, CA, Reno, NV, Richmond, VA, Roanoke, VA, Rochester, MN, Rockford, IL, Rocky Mount, NC, Rome, GA, Saginaw, MI, St. Cloud, MN, St. George, UT, St. Joseph, MO-KS, Salisbury, MD, San Angelo, TX, Sandusky, OH, San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR, San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, Santa Fe, NM, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, Savannah, GA, Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL, Sebring, FL, Sheboygan, WI, Sherman-Denison, TX, Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ, Sioux Falls, SD-MN, Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA, South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI, Spartanburg, SC, Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA, Springfield, IL, Springfield, MA, Springfield, MO, Springfield, OH, State College, PA, Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA, Sumter, SC, Syracuse, NY, Tallahassee, FL, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL, Terre Haute, IN, Texarkana, TX-AR, Toledo, OH, Topeka, KS, Traverse City, MI, Trenton-Princeton, NJ, Tucson, AZ, Tulsa, OK, Tuscaloosa, AL, Twin Falls, ID, Tyler, TX, Urban Honolulu, HI, Utica-Rome, NY, Valdosta, GA, Vallejo, CA, Victoria, TX, Vineland, NJ, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC, Waco, TX, Walla Walla, WA, Warner Robins, GA, Waterbury-Shelton, CT, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, Watertown-Fort Drum, NY, Wausau, WI, Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH, Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA, Wheeling, WV-OH, Wichita Falls, TX, Wildwood-The Villages, FL, Williamsport, PA, Wilmington, NC, Winchester, VA-WV, Winston-Salem, NC, Worcester, MA, Yakima, WA, York-Hanover, PA, Youngstown-Warren, OH, Yuba City, CA, Yuma, AZ.
What should you know about role pay against all occupations, by metro?
Ratio = this role's published median divided by the all-occupations median in the same metro, same units, both exact. A ratio above 1.00 means the role's median is higher than the metro's all-occupations median. It makes no cost-of-living claim. Location quotient (LQ) is employment concentration, not a wage index.
- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR2.22
- St. Louis, MO-IL2.16
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA2.11
- San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX2.09
- Kansas City, MO-KS2.07
- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR2.07
- Merced, CA2.04
- Fresno, CA2.00
- Visalia, CA1.97
- Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY1.96
- Ann Arbor, MI1.90
- Salinas, CA1.90
- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA1.87
- Stockton-Lodi, CA1.84
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN1.83
- Omaha, NE-IA1.83
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX1.82
- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN1.80
- Lancaster, PA1.79
- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX1.79
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD1.77
- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA1.76
- Rochester, NY1.76
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC1.75
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI1.72
Bars show the highest 25 of 64. The table lists all.
| Metro | Role median | All-occupations median | Ratio | LQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $103,300 | $46,610 | 2.22 | 8.13 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $108,200 | $49,990 | 2.16 | 2.44 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $107,970 | $51,170 | 2.11 | 1.31 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $98,220 | $47,010 | 2.09 | 0.68 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $105,350 | $50,820 | 2.07 | 1.91 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $94,770 | $45,790 | 2.07 | 1.7 |
| Merced, CA | $96,430 | $47,220 | 2.04 | 5.57 |
| Fresno, CA | $93,750 | $46,910 | 2.00 | 2.8 |
| Visalia, CA | $89,050 | $45,130 | 1.97 | 4.38 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $99,530 | $50,790 | 1.96 | 2.35 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $105,420 | $55,380 | 1.90 | 2.34 |
| Salinas, CA | $90,080 | $47,380 | 1.90 | 2.2 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $92,690 | $49,610 | 1.87 | 1.27 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $90,040 | $48,990 | 1.84 | 2.52 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,390 | $54,720 | 1.83 | 1.62 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $90,770 | $49,660 | 1.83 | 1.54 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $93,670 | $51,440 | 1.82 | 1.19 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $90,210 | $50,170 | 1.80 | 1.35 |
| Lancaster, PA | $86,320 | $48,210 | 1.79 | 1.73 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $88,210 | $49,410 | 1.79 | 0.38 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $96,210 | $54,310 | 1.77 | 0.93 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $85,360 | $48,400 | 1.76 | 1.17 |
| Rochester, NY | $90,040 | $51,210 | 1.76 | 1.38 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $87,270 | $49,990 | 1.75 | 0.35 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $101,760 | $59,320 | 1.72 | 2.65 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $104,200 | $61,430 | 1.70 | 0.92 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $86,230 | $51,160 | 1.69 | 1.27 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,900 | $47,470 | 1.68 | 1.64 |
| Wichita, KS | $79,630 | $47,630 | 1.67 | 2.14 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $95,030 | $56,950 | 1.67 | 0.54 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,260 | $47,030 | 1.66 | 6.35 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $78,610 | $47,570 | 1.65 | 1.37 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $91,060 | $55,850 | 1.63 | 1.04 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $86,150 | $53,680 | 1.60 | 1.14 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $99,900 | $62,320 | 1.60 | 1.62 |
| Modesto, CA | $80,960 | $50,610 | 1.60 | 4.66 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $113,350 | $71,060 | 1.60 | 0.48 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $83,140 | $52,510 | 1.58 | 1.36 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $93,330 | $59,070 | 1.58 | 1.33 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $103,580 | $66,620 | 1.55 | 1.64 |
| Salem, OR | $85,960 | $55,310 | 1.55 | 2.03 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $75,980 | $48,990 | 1.55 | 1.51 |
| Columbus, OH | $79,560 | $51,340 | 1.55 | 0.93 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $74,150 | $48,370 | 1.53 | 0.55 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $85,610 | $56,850 | 1.51 | 5.09 |
| Boise City, ID | $73,420 | $49,100 | 1.50 | Not published by BLS |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $76,580 | $51,820 | 1.48 | 4.64 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $88,010 | $59,750 | 1.47 | 1.25 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $85,930 | $58,690 | 1.46 | 0.59 |
| Napa, CA | $80,320 | $55,210 | 1.45 | 12.25 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $69,970 | $49,340 | 1.42 | 0.8 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $82,640 | $58,460 | 1.41 | 1.36 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $100,000 | $72,610 | 1.38 | 0.67 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $66,120 | $48,470 | 1.36 | 7.44 |
| Lawrence, KS | $64,210 | $47,390 | 1.35 | 8.93 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,930 | $74,260 | 1.33 | 1.89 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $73,280 | $55,240 | 1.33 | 0.65 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $68,590 | $51,990 | 1.32 | 1.79 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,050 | $60,690 | 1.32 | 1.48 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $110,810 | $84,050 | 1.32 | 0.55 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $67,790 | $52,080 | 1.30 | 0.81 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $63,030 | $52,800 | 1.19 | 2.02 |
| Madison, WI | $66,080 | $58,080 | 1.14 | 1.04 |
| Lincoln, NE | $56,250 | $49,800 | 1.13 | 4.88 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 19-1012 Food Scientists and Technologists, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How should you read Food Scientist metro ranking?
Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has a published annual median of $113,350 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount.
A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV row, the published lower quartile is $81,360 and the upper quartile is $134,160. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV employment estimate is 130. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Food Scientist metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA has a published annual median of $88,010 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA row, the published lower quartile is $75,300 and the upper quartile is $109,080. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA employment estimate is 110. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Food Scientist metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Lincoln, NE has a published annual median of $56,250 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Lincoln, NE row, the published lower quartile is $50,710 and the upper quartile is $60,050. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Lincoln, NE employment estimate is 70. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Food Scientist metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Which questions matter for Food Scientist metro ranking?
Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has a published annual median of $113,350 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening.
Does Food Scientist metro ranking give an exact offer for my plant?
Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has a published annual median of $113,350 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
What does the wage band in Food Scientist metro ranking describe?
For the same Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV row, the published lower quartile is $81,360 and the upper quartile is $134,160. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
Does the employment figure in Food Scientist metro ranking measure available candidates?
The Food Scientist metro ranking: Food Scientist, mapped to Food Scientists and Technologists (19-1012), in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV employment estimate is 130. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Food Scientist metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Food Scientist source figures · Food Scientist source figures · Food Scientist source figures · Methodology
What does this ranking mean for your opening?
A Food Scientist is the primary architect of your production consistency, tasked with bridging the gap between small-batch pilot results and full-scale commercial manufacturing. The metropolitan wage data provided is a broad national average that encompasses many industries outside of food production, so use it as a starting point rather than a benchmark for specific plant-level offers.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative interpretation, not another BLS estimate.
A Food Scientist is the primary architect of your production consistency, tasked with bridging the gap between small-batch pilot results and full-scale commercial manufacturing. The metropolitan wage data provided is a broad national average that encompasses many industries outside of food production, so use it as a starting point rather than a benchmark for specific plant-level offers. Your offer should reflect the candidate’s ability to manage formulation trade-offs, such as ingredient sourcing or processing adjustments, which directly impact the bottom line and product quality at scale.
Consider that high-performing scientists are often deeply rooted in their current pilot kitchen or development environment. A regional wage ranking may not account for the scarcity of specialists who have successfully handled the transition from bench to production floor. If a top candidate is currently stable in their role, competitive compensation is essential, but it must be balanced against their actual experience with the specific processing equipment and constraints present in your facility.
The role requires more than technical knowledge; it demands the ability to solve problems on the line. When evaluating candidates, look for those who can discuss specific shelf-life studies or failures they have personally managed. A candidate who understands process variables will bring more value than one who only understands ingredient lists, regardless of the area wage statistics.
Hiring managers must recognize that the provided national wage snapshot is a lagging indicator and does not represent the specific market for your unique manufacturing environment. The willingness of a candidate to relocate, their ties to current research or development projects, and your plant’s specific product category will heavily influence your search outcome. Focus on matching technical expertise to your plant’s real-world challenges rather than relying on regional salary band assumptions.
What should you know about questions before using this pay map?
We ask early whether the person is rooted near their pilot plant or open to moving, and we flag spouse and housing constraints before you spend interview time. Scientists tied to a region are often better matched through a hybrid arrangement for early weeks.
How do your fees work for a Food Scientist search?
For Food Scientist in the United States, OEWS measures straight-time gross wages, not pure base salary or total compensation. Commissions and production bonuses are included; overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits are excluded.
Will our confidentiality be protected?
Yes: We describe your pipeline and plant in general terms until a candidate is serious, and we never disclose a formulation, a customer or an unreleased project. Candidates are asked to keep what they learn to themselves.
Can you reach food scientists who are not looking?
Many strong scientists are in the middle of a launch and will not apply anywhere, so we approach them directly, talk through the product challenge and let them decide whether the role is worth a conversation.
What about relocation for a food scientist?
We ask early whether the person is rooted near their pilot plant or open to moving, and we flag spouse and housing constraints before you spend interview time. Scientists tied to a region are often better matched through a hybrid arrangement for early weeks.