Salary guide, May 2025
Product Development 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.
National page for Product Development Scientist · Pay range finder
How should you read Product Development Scientist metro ranking?
Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Which questions matter for Product Development Scientist metro ranking?
Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking give an exact offer for my plant?
Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking describe?
For the same Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking measure available candidates?
The Product Development Scientist metro ranking: Product Development 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 Product Development Scientist metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Product Development Scientist source figures · Product Development Scientist source figures · Product Development Scientist source figures · Methodology
What does this ranking mean for your opening?
The published data for food scientists and technologists covers a wide range of industry roles, from entry-level quality control to advanced formulation. Using these figures for a product development scientist search is highly misleading because it aggregates roles with vastly different technical impacts.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative interpretation, not another BLS estimate.
The published data for food scientists and technologists covers a wide range of industry roles, from entry-level quality control to advanced formulation. Using these figures for a product development scientist search is highly misleading because it aggregates roles with vastly different technical impacts. A scientist who develops new formulations that lead to stable manufacturing scale-up is a specialist whose market value does not align with a general survey median.
When evaluating candidates, look for evidence of formulation work that was translated into actual scale-up and stability requirements. The ability to handle this transition is what sets apart a development scientist from a routine lab worker. Focus your interview process on these specific technical outcomes. If a candidate cannot demonstrate their role in moving a product from an experimental formulation to a stable manufactured product, their experience is not relevant to your needs.
proven development scientists are rarely found on job boards; they are currently employed in laboratories that successfully launch products. They are moved by the opportunity to own the formulation process and the impact of their science on the product line. To attract them, you must clearly outline the research autonomy you are offering. Their professional interest is in the science and its application, which means your offer must be based on the project's complexity rather than standard salary surveys.
Regional wage data provides loose context but does not guide your recruitment for specialized science roles. The competition for talented formulation scientists is based on the industry's need for their expertise, not on geographic survey ranges. Do not use the provide median as a cap or a strict target. Instead, set your compensation based on the difficulty of the formulation challenges your plant faces and the individual's proven track record of handling similar projects.
Recruiters recommend a focus on direct, personalized outreach. When you reach a potential candidate, speak to the scientific work they will own. If your compensation discussions are limited to benchmarking them against broad survey averages, you will fail to engage those scientists who are already contributing to high-value manufacturing projects. Base your offer on their potential for success in your lab, not on external industry-wide reports.
What should you know about questions before using this pay map?
Why is the BLS salary data too broad for a Development Scientist?
It aggregates all food scientists, including entry-level QC roles. It fails to capture the technical premium for scientists who can scale new formulations into mass production.
What is the key evidence to look for in a scientist candidate?
Evidence that their formulation work has been successfully scaled up. They must be able to link their experimental decisions to manufacturing stability requirements.
How can I make my offer more attractive to a development scientist?
Emphasize the research autonomy and the impact of their formulation work on your product lines. Their motivation is scientific ownership, not just compensation.
Should I use these salary figures to set my budget?
Use them only as general market context. Your budget should reflect the specialized nature of your formulation needs and the high bar of success for your product development.