Food Scientists and Technologists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$60,060
- 25th Percentile — Junior$74,660
- 50th Percentile — Median$93,950
- 75th Percentile — Senior$120,100
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$140,810
Half of Food Scientists and Technologists in California earn more than $93,950. The top 10% make $140,810 or more, while entry-level workers start around $60,060.
Food Scientists and Technologists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 13th of 39 states for Food Scientists and Technologists pay, at $97,980 per year (2.7% above the U.S. average of $95,360).
- 2,210 people work as Food Scientists and Technologists in California — 16.9% of all U.S. Food Scientists and Technologists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.44: Food Scientists and Technologists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $60,060; the top 10% earn over $140,810.
- Hourly equivalent: $47.11 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $116,780.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Food Scientists and Technologists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Food Scientists and Technologists here earn $97,980 on average, placing the state 13th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $97,980 is roughly equivalent to $69,000 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($101,900), Maryland ($100,610), Virginia ($100,340) are the closest alternatives for Food Scientists and Technologists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +106.1% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +93.4% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +51.6% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +43.0% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +36.4% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California +30.0% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California +25.6% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California +25.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in California?
The average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in California is $97,980 per year (median $93,950), which is 2.7% above the national average of $95,360.
How does California rank for Food Scientists and Technologists pay?
California ranks 13th out of 39 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($116,780/yr).
How much do entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Food Scientists and Technologists in California earn about $60,060 per year and the 25th percentile is $74,660.
How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make per hour in California?
About $47.11 per hour, based on the $97,980 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Food Scientists and Technologists work in California?
BLS counts 2,210 Food Scientists and Technologists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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