Food Science Technicians Salary in Merced, CA
Food Science Technicians in Merced, CA make a median of $58,880 a year, or about $28.31 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.28), that's roughly $59,910 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,503/month — about 39.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $59K get you in Merced?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Merced’s Regional Price Parity (98.28). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About food science technicians
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Merced, CA
Entry-level food science technicians (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K. Top earners bring in $66K or more, a $22K 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 |
| Pennsylvania | $49K | -1% | 580 |
| Oregon | $49K | -1% | 570 |
| Utah | $49K | -1% | 90 |
| Connecticut | $49K | -2% | N/A |
| Indiana | $48K | -3% | 430 |
| Iowa | $48K | -4% | 400 |
| Washington | $47K | -4% | 340 |
| Florida | $47K | -5% | 250 |
| Ohio | $47K | -5% | 360 |
| Nebraska | $46K | -6% | 180 |
| Arkansas | $46K | -6% | 160 |
| Texas | $46K | -7% | 970 |
| South Dakota | $46K | -7% | 100 |
| Idaho | $45K | -8% | 320 |
| North Carolina | $45K | -10% | 110 |
| New Mexico | $44K | -11% | 120 |
| Georgia | $42K | -15% | 500 |
| South Carolina | $39K | -20% | 50 |
| Kansas | $36K | -28% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 34 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track food science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Merced numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food science technicians make in Merced, CA?
The median is $58,880 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,850, and experienced food science technicians can clear $66,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Merced?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,960/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,503/month, which eats 38% 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 Merced?
Merced has a Regional Price Parity of 98.28 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food science technicians salary is worth about $59,910 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.