BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Food Scientists and Technologists in Virginia

$100,340 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$48.24 per hour

▲ 5.2% above U.S. average11th of 39 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$100,340per year
Median$93,590per year
Hourly$48.24per hour
10th – 90th percentile$66,000 – $160,700per year

Food Scientists and Technologists Pay Range in Virginia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$66,000
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$73,970
  • 50th Percentile — Median$93,590
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$129,730
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$160,700

Half of Food Scientists and Technologists in Virginia earn more than $93,590. The top 10% make $160,700 or more, while entry-level workers start around $66,000.

Food Scientists and Technologists in Virginia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Virginia ranks 11th of 39 states for Food Scientists and Technologists pay, at $100,340 per year (5.2% above the U.S. average of $95,360).
  • 70 people work as Food Scientists and Technologists in Virginia — 0.5% of all U.S. Food Scientists and Technologists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.21: Food Scientists and Technologists jobs are less concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $66,000; the top 10% earn over $160,700.
  • Hourly equivalent: $48.24 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $116,780.
  • Among science jobs in Virginia, Physicists pays the most ($159,320).

Food Scientists and Technologists Job Market in Virginia

Key factors affecting compensation

Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Food Scientists and Technologists here earn $100,340 on average, placing the state 11th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $100,340 is roughly equivalent to $91,218 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Illinois ($103,030), Florida ($101,960), Washington ($101,900) 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 Virginia?

The average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Virginia is $100,340 per year (median $93,590), which is 5.2% above the national average of $95,360.

How does Virginia rank for Food Scientists and Technologists pay?

Virginia ranks 11th out of 39 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($116,780/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Food Scientists and Technologists in Virginia earn about $66,000 per year and the 25th percentile is $73,970.

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

About $48.24 per hour, based on the $100,340 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Food Scientists and Technologists work in Virginia?

BLS counts 70 Food Scientists and Technologists jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).

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