As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Food Scientist I in the United States is $70,600. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $54,953 to a high of $81,375, with most professionals earning between $62,410 and $76,240.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $76,240 | $6,353 | $1,466 | $37 |
| Average | $70,600 | $5,883 | $1,358 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,410 | $5,201 | $1,200 | $30 |
An entry-level Food Scientist I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $67,911. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $68,155. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $71,021. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $73,378, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $73,546.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Food Scientist I | $67,911 |
| Intermediate Level Food Scientist I | $68,155 |
| Senior Level Food Scientist I | $71,021 |
| Specialist Level Food Scientist I | $73,378 |
| Expert Level Food Scientist I | $73,546 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 4% |
| Experienced | 4% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Food Scientist I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $79,242 in 2023 to approximately $79,567 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Food Scientist I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Food Scientist I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Food Scientist I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Food Scientist I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $70,600 | 71.7% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $5,401 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $3,318 | 3.4% | ||
| Disability | $565 | 0.6% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 6.1% | ||
| Pension | $3,883 | 3.9% | ||
| Time Off | $8,689 | 8.8% | ||
| Total Compensation | $98,512 | 100% | ||
The best countries for food science jobs vary, but salaries can be quite competitive. In the U.S., food scientists earn between $57,690 and $73,550, with a mid-salary of $66,000. In the UK, salaries range from £30,000 to £100,000, while in Canada, they range from CAD 45,000 to CAD 140,000. Australia and Singapore also offer attractive salary packages.
A career in food science is promising in the USA, as the demand for food professionals remains strong. With salaries ranging from $57,690 to $73,550, and a median salary of $66,000, pursuing a degree in food science can lead to a stable and well-paying job in the food industry, which is essential for everyone.
As of now, a Food Scientist in the United States earns between $57,690 and $73,550 annually, with a median salary of $66,000. This translates to approximately $27.69 to $35.36 per hour, or about $1,115 to $1,415 per week.
Food scientists and technologists are also referred to as Food and Drug Research Scientists, Food Chemists, and Food Engineers. The salary for food scientists typically ranges from a minimum of $57,690 to a mid-level of $66,000, with a maximum salary reaching $73,550, reflecting their expertise and contributions to the field.
The highest paying food job for those in food science is typically a Food Science Manager, with an average salary of around $119,148. However, for Food Scientists specifically, salaries range from a minimum of $57,690 to a maximum of $73,550, with a mid-salary of $66,000. This reflects the diverse opportunities within the culinary and food science fields.
Food scientists can earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $57,690, a mid-range salary of $66,000, and a maximum of $73,550 annually. This reflects the growing demand for expertise in food safety, quality, and innovation within the industry.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
