Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Food Scientists and Technologists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA make a median of $105,670 a year, or about $50.81 an hour. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $150K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $91,402 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 55.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $106K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About food scientists and technologists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level food scientists and technologists (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $106K.Top earners bring in $150K or more - a $72K 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 |
Track food scientists and technologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food scientists and technologists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $105,670 a year - that works out to about $50.81 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,930, and experienced food scientists and technologists can clear $150,380. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $106K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,397/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.3% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (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 scientists and technologists salary is worth about $91,402 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.