Food Scientist Salary Overview
The Food Scientist is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $82,000. Compensation typically ranges from $46,200 for entry-level positions to $133,400 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Food Scientist in the US earns between $46,200 and $133,400 per year, with a median of $82,000.
Food Scientist Salary by Experience
Entry-level food scientists earn around $53,300, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $110,700 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $51,660 | $25/hr | $42,157 |
| Mid | $82,000 | $39/hr | $62,309 |
| Senior | $109,880 | $53/hr | $79,330 |
| Lead | $125,460 | $60/hr | $88,700 |
Food Scientist Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Food Scientist in each US state.
Pay for food scientists varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,935 | $6,273 | $62,138 | 24.2% |
| Alaska | $82,000 | $9,654 | $0 | $6,273 | $66,073 | 19.4% |
| Arizona | $82,000 | $9,654 | $1,685 | $6,273 | $64,388 | 21.5% |
| Arkansas | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,382 | $6,273 | $62,691 | 23.5% |
| California | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,764 | $6,273 | $62,309 | 24.0% |
| Colorado | $82,000 | $9,654 | $2,948 | $6,273 | $63,125 | 23.0% |
| Connecticut | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,760 | $6,273 | $62,313 | 24.0% |
| Delaware | $82,000 | $9,654 | $4,181 | $6,273 | $61,892 | 24.5% |
| District of Columbia | $82,000 | $9,654 | $4,129 | $6,273 | $61,944 | 24.5% |
| Florida | $82,000 | $9,654 | $0 | $6,273 | $66,073 | 19.4% |
| Georgia | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,843 | $6,273 | $62,230 | 24.1% |
| Hawaii | $82,000 | $9,654 | $5,837 | $6,273 | $60,236 | 26.5% |
| Idaho | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,909 | $6,273 | $62,164 | 24.2% |
| Illinois | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,922 | $6,273 | $62,151 | 24.2% |
| Indiana | $82,000 | $9,654 | $2,501 | $6,273 | $63,572 | 22.5% |
| Iowa | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,116 | $6,273 | $62,957 | 23.2% |
| Kansas | $82,000 | $9,654 | $4,017 | $6,273 | $62,056 | 24.3% |
| Kentucky | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,154 | $6,273 | $62,919 | 23.3% |
| Louisiana | $82,000 | $9,654 | $2,904 | $6,273 | $63,169 | 23.0% |
| Maine | $82,000 | $9,654 | $4,325 | $6,273 | $61,748 | 24.7% |
| Maryland | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,721 | $6,273 | $62,352 | 24.0% |
| Massachusetts | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,880 | $6,273 | $62,193 | 24.2% |
| Michigan | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,247 | $6,273 | $62,826 | 23.4% |
| Minnesota | $82,000 | $9,654 | $4,125 | $6,273 | $61,948 | 24.5% |
| Mississippi | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,276 | $6,273 | $62,797 | 23.4% |
| Missouri | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,065 | $6,273 | $63,008 | 23.2% |
| Montana | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,731 | $6,273 | $62,342 | 24.0% |
| Nebraska | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,268 | $6,273 | $62,805 | 23.4% |
| Nevada | $82,000 | $9,654 | $0 | $6,273 | $66,073 | 19.4% |
| New Hampshire | $82,000 | $9,654 | $0 | $6,273 | $66,073 | 19.4% |
| New Jersey | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,097 | $6,273 | $62,976 | 23.2% |
| New Mexico | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,023 | $6,273 | $63,050 | 23.1% |
| New York | $82,000 | $9,654 | $4,115 | $6,273 | $61,958 | 24.4% |
| North Carolina | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,116 | $6,273 | $62,957 | 23.2% |
| North Dakota | $82,000 | $9,654 | $1,314 | $6,273 | $64,759 | 21.0% |
| Ohio | $82,000 | $9,654 | $1,536 | $6,273 | $64,537 | 21.3% |
| Oklahoma | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,405 | $6,273 | $62,668 | 23.6% |
| Oregon | $82,000 | $9,654 | $6,650 | $6,273 | $59,423 | 27.5% |
| Pennsylvania | $82,000 | $9,654 | $2,517 | $6,273 | $63,556 | 22.5% |
| Rhode Island | $82,000 | $9,654 | $2,679 | $6,273 | $63,394 | 22.7% |
| South Carolina | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,621 | $6,273 | $62,452 | 23.8% |
| South Dakota | $82,000 | $9,654 | $0 | $6,273 | $66,073 | 19.4% |
| Tennessee | $82,000 | $9,654 | $0 | $6,273 | $66,073 | 19.4% |
| Texas | $82,000 | $9,654 | $0 | $6,273 | $66,073 | 19.4% |
| Utah | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,813 | $6,273 | $62,260 | 24.1% |
| Vermont | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,471 | $6,273 | $62,602 | 23.7% |
| Virginia | $82,000 | $9,654 | $4,199 | $6,273 | $61,874 | 24.5% |
| Washington | $82,000 | $9,654 | $0 | $6,273 | $66,073 | 19.4% |
| West Virginia | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,310 | $6,273 | $62,763 | 23.5% |
| Wisconsin | $82,000 | $9,654 | $3,258 | $6,273 | $62,815 | 23.4% |
| Wyoming | $82,000 | $9,654 | $0 | $6,273 | $66,073 | 19.4% |
Top Cities for Food Scientist Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for food scientists tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Newark, NJ | $90,200 |
| San Francisco, CA | $90,200 |
| Chicago, IL | $90,200 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $90,200 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $90,200 |
Calculate Food Scientist Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Food Scientist
Becoming a food scientist typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Food Scientist Career Outlook
Employment of food scientists is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Food Scientist Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for food scientists in the US is $82,000, with a typical range from $46,200 to $133,400 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for food scientists include NJ, CA, IL. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level food scientists can expect to earn around $53,300 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a food scientist can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for food scientists is approximately $39.42, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.