📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Food Scientist Salary in Washington (2026)

Washington · 25.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$97,850
per year
Median
$91,600
per year
Hourly
$47.04
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$62,600
25th Percentile — Junior$81,600
50th Percentile — Median$91,600
75th Percentile — Senior$124,350
90th Percentile — Top Earners$140,622
💡 Top-earning Food Scientists in Washington make up to $140,622 per year. The job market in Washington is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$78.5k
2021
$82.1k
2022
$85.7k
2023
$89.6k
2024
$93.6k
2025
$97.8k
2026
📈 Food Scientist salaries in Washington have followed the national trend with 4.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Washington's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Food Scientist Salary by City in Washington
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Seattle $135,033 +38.0% High
Spokane $97,850 +0.0% High
Tacoma $117,420 +20.0% High
🔍
Food Scientist Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation

Washington is home to a very strong job market for Food Scientists. The state's key industries — Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $97,850 per year, Washington's Food Scientist salaries are 25.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Washington (index: 1.25) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Washington can expect to earn $62,600–$81,600, while experienced Food Scientists can command $124,350–$140,622.

Looking ahead, the Food Scientist profession in Washington 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 Washington is $97,850 per year in 2026, which is 25.0% above the national average of $78,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Food Scientists the highest wages in Washington due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Washington has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Food Scientist employment.
  • At $97,850/year, Washington Food Scientist salaries are 25.0% higher than the national average of $78,280/year.