Food Scientists and Technologists Salary
Food Scientists and Technologists in Montana make a median of $52,230 a year, or about $25.11 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $76K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $53,845 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,129/month, about 32.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Montana. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $52K get you in Montana?
About food scientists and technologists
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What this looks like in Montana
Pay for food scientists and technologists in Montana runs about 41% below the U.S. median of $89K. Rent runs $1,129/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level food scientists and technologists (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K. Top earners bring in $76K or more, a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track food scientists and technologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a food scientists and technologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $52K, rent takes 32.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for food scientists and technologists in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new food scientists and technologists typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,404/month. At HUD’s $1,129/month FMR, rent would take 47% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is food scientists and technologist a high-paying job in Montana?
Local pay runs 41% below the national median — $52K here vs. $89K nationally.
How does Montana compare to the national average for food scientists and technologists?
Montana pays $52K median vs. the U.S. average of $89K — that’s -41%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $54K — below the national median.
How much do food scientists and technologists make in Montana?
The median is $52,230 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,070, and experienced food scientists and technologists can clear $76,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,503/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 32.2% 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 Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (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 $53,845 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.