Food Scientists and Technologists · Illinois

Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Illinois

Food Scientists and Technologists in Illinois earn a median annual wage of $94,340 —6.3% above the national median of $88,720. That ranks IL #11 of 39 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$94,340
Median hourly
$45.35
Entry level (P10)
$63,730
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$166,670
90th percentile
Employment
780
0.1 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+6.3%
U.S. $88,720

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$63,730
$72,470
$94,340
$129,500
$63,730$94,340$166,670
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $94,340.

Employment is 1.53× as concentrated as the national average, making Illinois a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for food scientists and technologists

All 39 states ranked by median annual wage. Illinois is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1South Carolina$108,660$52.24900.46
2Missouri$105,930$50.933901.59
3New Jersey$104,340$50.166301.76
4Massachusetts$103,580$49.804201.38
5Florida$101,160$48.641700.20
6Colorado$99,580$47.873201.31
7Minnesota$99,280$47.736702.70
8Kentucky$98,710$47.461701.04
9Alabama$97,480$46.87600.31
10Washington$94,990$45.672500.85

Related occupations in Illinois

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Illinois.

Frequently asked questions

How much do food scientists and technologists make in Illinois?

The median annual wage for food scientists and technologists in Illinois is $94,340, or $45.35 per hour. That is 6.3% above the national median of $88,720.

What is the entry-level food scientists and technologists salary in Illinois?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $63,730 per year ($30.64/hour). The 25th percentile is $72,470.

How many people work as food scientists and technologists in Illinois?

About 780 people work in this occupation in Illinois, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Illinois a good state for food scientists and technologists?

Illinois ranks #11 of 39 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.53x as concentrated as the national average, making Illinois a strong market for this occupation.

Which state pays food scientists and technologists the most?

South Carolina has the highest median wage at $108,660 per year, followed by Missouri ($105,930) and New Jersey ($104,340).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes