Food Scientists and Technologists Salary
Food Scientists and Technologists in Washington make a median of $94,990 a year, or about $45.67 an hour. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $163K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $93,118 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 28.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $95K get you in Washington?
About food scientists and technologists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington
Food scientists and technologists pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $95K locally vs. $89K nationwide, a 7% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level food scientists and technologists (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K. Top earners bring in $163K or more, a $106K spread from bottom to top.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $100K | +5% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track food scientists and technologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a food scientists and technologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $95K, rent takes 29.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for food scientists and technologists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new food scientists and technologists typically earn — is $57K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,391/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 54% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $95K locally vs. $89K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for food scientists and technologists?
Washington pays $95K median vs. the U.S. average of $89K — that’s +7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do food scientists and technologists make in Washington?
The median is $94,990 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $56,520, and experienced food scientists and technologists can clear $162,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,268/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 29.2% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $93,118 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.