Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Food Scientists and Technologists in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI make a median of $75,890 a year, or about $36.49 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $135K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.55), that's roughly $79,424 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,519/month — about 30.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $76K get you in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood’s Regional Price Parity (95.55). 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.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Entry-level food scientists and technologists (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K. Top earners bring in $135K or more, a $82K spread from bottom to top.
Food Scientists and Technologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $103K | +20% | 880 |
| District of Columbia | $103K | +20% | N/A |
| Missouri | $102K | +19% | 610 |
| Alabama | $99K | +16% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $99K | +16% | N/A |
| Washington | $96K | +13% | 310 |
| New York | $96K | +12% | 880 |
| Minnesota | $94K | +11% | N/A |
| Florida | $93K | +9% | 150 |
| Texas | $93K | +9% | 780 |
| Arkansas | $93K | +8% | N/A |
| Michigan | $87K | +2% | 430 |
| Kansas | $86K | +1% | 310 |
| California | $85K | +0% | 2,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $82K | -3% | 430 |
| Virginia | $82K | -4% | 80 |
| Indiana | $81K | -5% | 210 |
| Illinois | $80K | -6% | 720 |
| Tennessee | $80K | -6% | 70 |
| Mississippi | $80K | -7% | 70 |
| Maryland | $79K | -7% | 290 |
| New Hampshire | $79K | -7% | 50 |
| Oregon | $78K | -9% | 280 |
| Wisconsin | $76K | -11% | 510 |
| Kentucky | $72K | -15% | 170 |
| South Carolina | $71K | -17% | 40 |
| Utah | $69K | -19% | 130 |
| Georgia | $69K | -19% | 680 |
| South Dakota | $68K | -20% | 70 |
| Idaho | $68K | -20% | 110 |
| Nebraska | $67K | -21% | 210 |
| North Carolina | $64K | -25% | 180 |
| Iowa | $63K | -26% | 410 |
| Ohio | $62K | -27% | 310 |
| Louisiana | $57K | -33% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 35 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track food scientists and technologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food scientists and technologists make in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The median is $75,890 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,610, and experienced food scientists and technologists can clear $135,060. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,879/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,519/month, which eats 31.1% 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 scientists and technologists salary go in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood?
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood has a Regional Price Parity of 95.55 (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 scientists and technologists salary is worth about $79,424 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food scientists and technologists 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.