Food Science Technicians Salary in California
Food Science Technicians in California earn a median annual wage of $54,200 —4.0% above the national median of $52,130. That ranks CA #17 of 38 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 2.34× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for food science technicians
All 38 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $65,360 | $31.42 | 150 | 0.39 |
| 2 | Kentucky | $64,770 | $31.14 | 160 | 0.87 |
| 3 | Washington | $62,070 | $29.84 | 660 | 1.98 |
| 4 | Vermont | $60,980 | $29.32 | 50 | 1.84 |
| 5 | Illinois | $60,820 | $29.24 | 290 | 0.51 |
| 6 | Missouri | $59,570 | $28.64 | 150 | 0.54 |
| 7 | Nevada | $59,070 | $28.40 | 110 | 0.72 |
| 8 | Colorado | $58,540 | $28.14 | 270 | 1.02 |
| 9 | Florida | $58,500 | $28.13 | 250 | 0.26 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $57,940 | $27.86 | 380 | 1.36 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $97,860 | $91,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do food science technicians make in California?
The median annual wage for food science technicians in California is $54,200, or $26.06 per hour. That is 4.0% above the national median of $52,130.
What is the entry-level food science technicians salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $40,790 per year ($19.61/hour). The 25th percentile is $47,080.
How many people work as food science technicians in California?
About 3,990 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for food science technicians?
California ranks #17 of 38 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 2.34x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays food science technicians the most?
Virginia has the highest median wage at $65,360 per year, followed by Kentucky ($64,770) and Washington ($62,070).