Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Lancaster, PA
Food Scientists and Technologists in Lancaster, PA make a median of $95,110 a year, or about $45.73 an hour. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $124K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.26), that's roughly $96,794 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,526/month, or 24.9% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $95K get you in Lancaster?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Lancaster’s Regional Price Parity (98.26). 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 scientists and technologists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lancaster, PA
Entry-level food scientists and technologists (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K. Top earners bring in $124K or more, a $66K 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 Lancaster numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food scientists and technologists make in Lancaster, PA?
The median is $95,110 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,100, and experienced food scientists and technologists can clear $123,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in Lancaster?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,031/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,526/month, which eats 25.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a food scientists and technologists salary go in Lancaster?
Lancaster has a Regional Price Parity of 98.26 (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 $96,794 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.