Food Science Technicians Salary in Modesto, CA
Food Science Technicians in Modesto, CA make a median of $48,940 a year, or about $23.53 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $71K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.11), that's roughly $47,008 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,758/month — about 52% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $49K get you in Modesto?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Modesto’s Regional Price Parity (104.11). 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
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Modesto, CA
Entry-level food science technicians (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $71K or more, a $33K 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 Modesto numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do food science technicians make in Modesto, CA?
The median is $48,940 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,790, and experienced food science technicians can clear $70,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Modesto?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,345/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,758/month, which eats 52.6% 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 Modesto?
Modesto has a Regional Price Parity of 104.11 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food science technicians salary is worth about $47,008 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.