Food Science Technicians Salary in California
Food Science Technicians in California make a median of $50,960 a year, or about $24.5 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in California?
About food science technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level food science technicians (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $74K or more - a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Food Science Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $65K | +31% | 30 |
| Illinois | $64K | +29% | 390 |
| Virginia | $59K | +20% | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $57K | +16% | 130 |
| Missouri | $56K | +13% | 310 |
| Michigan | $53K | +8% | 130 |
| Tennessee | $53K | +7% | 90 |
| New York | $53K | +6% | 750 |
| Kentucky | $52K | +6% | 160 |
| New Jersey | $52K | +6% | 610 |
| Maryland | $52K | +5% | 270 |
| California | $51K | +3% | 4,000 |
| Minnesota | $50K | +2% | 340 |
| Wisconsin | $50K | +1% | 550 |
| Vermont | $50K | +1% | 40 |
Track food science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food science technicians make in California?
The median is $50,960 a year - that works out to about $24.5 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,210, and experienced food science technicians can clear $73,830. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,470/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 63.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a food science technicians salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food science technicians salary is worth about $50,960 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food science technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.