Food Scientists and Technologists pay in California
In California, the median pay for food scientists and technologists is $45.17 an hour ($93,950 a year). About 2,210 people work in this job there.
That is 6% higher than the U.S. median ($88,720). California ranks 13th of 39 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $28.88 | $60,060 |
| 25% of workers | $35.89 | $74,660 |
| Half of workers (median) | $45.17 | $93,950 |
| 75% of workers | $57.74 | $120,100 |
| 90% of workers | $67.70 | $140,810 |
Food Scientists and Technologists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $110,810 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $98,930 | 380 |
| Merced | $96,430 | 40 |
| Fresno | $93,750 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $91,060 | 550 |
| Salinas | $90,080 | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $90,040 | 60 |
| Visalia | $89,050 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $88,010 | 110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $85,930 | 80 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $85,610 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $85,360 | 170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $83,140 | 40 |
| Modesto | $80,960 | 80 |
| Napa | $80,320 | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $79,900 | 50 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $66,120 | 30 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food scientists and technologists
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +6.2% over ten years, faster than average · about 1,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $139,580 |
| Microbiologists | $108,530 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,530 |
| Conservation Scientists | $79,810 |
| Epidemiologists | $110,760 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $91,930 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.