Food Science Technicians Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $64,760 +31% vs national
Median hourly $31.14
10th percentile $47,540
90th percentile $126,630
Employed locally 320
National median $49,430

Compare Food Science Technicians salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Science Technicians
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,540
    25th
    $56,700
    50th (median)
    $64,760
    75th
    $77,600
    90th
    $126,630

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Science Technicians salary vs area income 73% Median Food Science Technicians salary is 27% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Science Technicians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $104,600
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $77,530
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $76,690
    Jacksonville, FL $76,320
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $73,030
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $65,220

    Nearby metros — Food Science Technicians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Jacksonville, FL $76,320
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $73,030
    Illinois $63,730
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $63,710
    St. Louis, MO-IL $62,340
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $61,850

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $78,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $98,240
    Chemists $100,720
    School Psychologists $80,600
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $98,780
    Physicists $131,260

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Science Technicians make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Food Science Technicians in Chicago, IL-IN is $31.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.19 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Food Science Technicians salaries?

    The median Food Science Technicians salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 31% above the national median of $49,430. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Science Technicians in Chicago?

    Entry-level Food Science Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $47,540 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,700.