BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Food Scientists and Technologists in Kentucky

$96,080 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$46.19 per hour

▲ 0.8% above U.S. average16th of 39 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$96,080per year
Median$98,710per year
Hourly$46.19per hour
10th – 90th percentile$47,480 – $137,650per year

Food Scientists and Technologists Pay Range in Kentucky

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,480
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$70,850
  • 50th Percentile — Median$98,710
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$122,320
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$137,650

Half of Food Scientists and Technologists in Kentucky earn more than $98,710. The top 10% make $137,650 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,480.

Food Scientists and Technologists in Kentucky: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Kentucky ranks 16th of 39 states for Food Scientists and Technologists pay, at $96,080 per year (0.8% above the U.S. average of $95,360).
  • 170 people work as Food Scientists and Technologists in Kentucky — 1.3% of all U.S. Food Scientists and Technologists jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.04: Food Scientists and Technologists jobs are more concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,480; the top 10% earn over $137,650.
  • Hourly equivalent: $46.19 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $116,780.
  • Among science jobs in Kentucky, Physicists pays the most ($179,250).

Food Scientists and Technologists Job Market in Kentucky

Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Food Scientists and Technologists here earn $96,080 on average, placing the state 16th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $96,080 is roughly equivalent to $115,759 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arkansas ($98,310), California ($97,980), New York ($96,840) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Kentucky?

The average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Kentucky is $96,080 per year (median $98,710), which is 0.8% above the national average of $95,360.

How does Kentucky rank for Food Scientists and Technologists pay?

Kentucky ranks 16th out of 39 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($116,780/yr).

How much do entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists make in Kentucky?

The lowest-paid 10% of Food Scientists and Technologists in Kentucky earn about $47,480 per year and the 25th percentile is $70,850.

How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make per hour in Kentucky?

About $46.19 per hour, based on the $96,080 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Food Scientists and Technologists work in Kentucky?

BLS counts 170 Food Scientists and Technologists jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).

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