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Food Scientist Salary in 2026

Food scientists study the chemical and biological composition of food, developing new products and improving food safety. They research preservation methods, nutrition, and manufacturing processes.

Median Salary

$78,000

$6,500/mo

Entry Level

$48,000

starting pay

Senior Level

$96,000

experienced

Job Growth

+6%

10-yr outlook

Food Scientist Overview

Food scientists study the chemical and biological composition of food, developing new products and improving food safety. They research preservation methods, nutrition, and manufacturing processes.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Experience

1-3 years

Industry

Science

Total Jobs (US)

20K

5-Year Growth

+14%

Category

Science

Hourly Rate

$37.50/hr

Monthly Pay

$6,500

Food Scientist Salary Calculator

Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Food Scientist salary in your area.

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

Estimated Food Scientist Salary

$80,000

$6,667/month · $3,077/biweekly · $38.46/hr

Food Scientist Salary Range

Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Food Scientist field.

25th Percentile$60,000
$60K
Median (50th)$78,000
$78K
75th Percentile$87,000
$87K
90th Percentile$110,000
$110K
Top Earners$124,000
$124K

Entry-level Food Scientists earn around $48,000, while the top 10% earn $110,000 or more.

Top Paying States for Food Scientists

StateEst. Median Salaryvs National
California$92,000+$14,000
New Jersey$86,000+$8,000
Illinois$81,000+$3,000
Minnesota$80,000+$2,000
Wisconsin$74,000$-4,000

Top Paying Cities for Food Scientists

CityEst. Median Salaryvs National
San Francisco$98,000+$20,000
Newark$84,000+$6,000
Chicago$82,000+$4,000
Minneapolis$80,000+$2,000
Milwaukee$75,000$-3,000

Required Skills & Certifications

Key Skills

Food ChemistryQuality ControlFDA RegulationsSensory AnalysisR&D

Certifications

IFT CertificationSQF Practitioner

Food Scientist Career Progression

Typical salary growth path for a Food Scientist from entry level to expert.

Entry Level

$48,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$72,000

3-7 years

Senior

$96,000

8-14 years

Lead / Expert

$124,000

15+ years

EntryExpert

Food Scientist Salary FAQ

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