Food Scientists and Technologists Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$63,730
- 25th Percentile — Junior$72,470
- 50th Percentile — Median$94,340
- 75th Percentile — Senior$129,500
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$166,670
Half of Food Scientists and Technologists in Illinois earn more than $94,340. The top 10% make $166,670 or more, while entry-level workers start around $63,730.
Food Scientists and Technologists in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 7th of 39 states for Food Scientists and Technologists pay, at $103,030 per year (8.0% above the U.S. average of $95,360).
- 780 people work as Food Scientists and Technologists in Illinois — 6.0% of all U.S. Food Scientists and Technologists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.53: Food Scientists and Technologists jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $63,730; the top 10% earn over $166,670.
- Hourly equivalent: $49.53 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $116,780.
- Among science jobs in Illinois, Atmospheric and Space Scientists pays the most ($147,860).
Food Scientists and Technologists Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Food Scientists and Technologists here earn $103,030 on average, placing the state 7th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $103,030 is roughly equivalent to $98,124 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Carolina ($111,910), Colorado ($104,170), Minnesota ($103,960) 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 Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $147,860/yr Illinois +43.5% vs this role
- Sociologists $143,940/yr Illinois +39.7% vs this role
- Physicists $139,780/yr Illinois +35.7% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $129,980/yr Illinois +26.2% vs this role
- Geoscientists $109,290/yr Illinois +6.1% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $102,640/yr Illinois 0.4% vs this role
- Chemists $98,420/yr Illinois 4.5% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $97,270/yr Illinois 5.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Illinois?
The average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Illinois is $103,030 per year (median $94,340), which is 8.0% above the national average of $95,360.
How does Illinois rank for Food Scientists and Technologists pay?
Illinois ranks 7th out of 39 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($116,780/yr).
How much do entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Food Scientists and Technologists in Illinois earn about $63,730 per year and the 25th percentile is $72,470.
How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make per hour in Illinois?
About $49.53 per hour, based on the $103,030 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Food Scientists and Technologists work in Illinois?
BLS counts 780 Food Scientists and Technologists jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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