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Salary comparison

Food Science Technicians vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: Who Earns More?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss out-earn Food Science Technicianss by $38K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Food Science Technicianss land at $52,130 and Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss at $90,150. The education gap is real: food science technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while occupational health and safety specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Food Science Technicianss is Virginia ($65,360); for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($111,530).

Food Science Technicians
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Median salary
$52,130
$90,150
Hourly rate
$25.06/hr
$43.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,820
$55,000
Senior level (90th %)
$78,820
$134,950
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
14,600
140,610
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Virginia
District of Columbia

Pay by state

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

State
Food Science Technicians
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Virginia
$65,360
$90,800
Washington
$62,070
$102,920
Illinois
$60,820
$98,270
Nevada
$59,070
$94,360
Colorado
$58,540
$101,400
Minnesota
$57,940
$96,990
Maryland
$57,880
$91,820
Ohio
$57,060
$91,460
Massachusetts
$56,850
$103,970
New Jersey
$56,730
$90,610
New York
$55,470
$95,720
California
$54,200
$102,840
Oregon
$50,590
$95,240
Connecticut
$49,700
$96,110
Utah
$45,110
$90,200

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Food Science Technicianss or Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss?

Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss earn more nationally. The median is $52,130 for Food Science Technicianss versus $90,150 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss, a difference of $38K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Food Science Technicians or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

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 Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Food Science Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists requires bachelor's 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. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Virginia, Food Science Technicianss earn $65,360 vs. $90,800 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Food Science Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Food Science Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a food science techniciansGuide →How to become a occupational health and safety specialistsGuide →