📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Food Scientist Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$71,235
per year
Median
$66,685
per year
Hourly
$34.25
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,573
25th Percentile — Junior$59,405
50th Percentile — Median$66,685
75th Percentile — Senior$90,527
90th Percentile — Top Earners$102,373
💡 Top-earning Food Scientists in North Carolina make up to $102,373 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$57.2k
2021
$59.7k
2022
$62.4k
2023
$65.2k
2024
$68.2k
2025
$71.2k
2026
📈 Food Scientist salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 4.5% annual growth. The strong demand in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Food Scientist Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $68,386 -4.0% High
Raleigh $69,810 -2.0% High
Greensboro $64,112 -10.0% High
Durham $69,098 -3.0% High
Winston-Salem $61,974 -13.0% High
🔍
Food Scientist Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Food Scientists. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $71,235 per year, North Carolina's Food Scientist salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $45,573–$59,405, while experienced Food Scientists can command $90,527–$102,373.

Looking ahead, the Food Scientist profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 4.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Food Scientist salary in North Carolina is $71,235 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $78,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Food Scientists the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Food Scientist employment.
  • At $71,235/year, North Carolina Food Scientist salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $78,280/year.