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Food Science Technicians vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists: Who Earns More?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss out-earn Food Science Technicianss by $51K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Food Science Technicianss land at $52,130 and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss at $103,410. The education gap is real: food science technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while medical scientists, except epidemiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Food Science Technicianss is Virginia ($65,360); for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss it's California ($136,990).

Food Science Technicians
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Median salary
$52,130
$103,410
Hourly rate
$25.06/hr
$49.72/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,820
$64,800
Senior level (90th %)
$78,820
$177,780
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
14,600
172,340
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Virginia
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Food Science Technicians median pay.

State
Food Science Technicians
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Virginia
$65,360
$93,620
Washington
$62,070
$105,680
Missouri
$59,570
$102,540
Nevada
$59,070
$98,560
Florida
$58,500
$94,940
Minnesota
$57,940
$89,950
Maryland
$57,880
$106,000
Massachusetts
$56,850
$128,210
New Jersey
$56,730
$129,280
California
$54,200
$136,990
Georgia
$53,150
$92,450
Oregon
$50,590
$111,030
Connecticut
$49,700
$116,990
North Carolina
$48,640
$102,980
Pennsylvania
$48,060
$99,190

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Food Science Technicianss or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss?

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss earn more nationally. The median is $52,130 for Food Science Technicianss versus $103,410 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss, a difference of $51K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Food Science Technicians or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Food Science Technicians or Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?

Food Science Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists requires doctoral or professional degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Food Science Technicianss get paid the most?

Virginia is the top-paying state for Food Science Technicianss at $65,360/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Food Science Technicians vs. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Virginia, Food Science Technicianss earn $65,360 vs. $93,620 for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Food Science Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Food Science Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a food science techniciansGuide →How to become a medical scientists, except epidemiologistsGuide →