Food Science Technicians Salary in Los Angeles, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median annual salary $51,250 +3.7% vs national
Median hourly $24.64
10th percentile $38,760
90th percentile $71,670
Employed locally 810
National median $49,430

Compare Food Science Technicians salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Food Science Technicians
in
Los Angeles, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,760
    25th
    $46,910
    50th (median)
    $51,250
    75th
    $61,460
    90th
    $71,670

    Los Angeles economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Science Technicians salary vs area income 55% Median Food Science Technicians salary is 45% 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
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $64,760
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $62,590
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $61,850
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $60,780
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $60,540
    Merced, CA $58,880

    Related occupations in Los Angeles, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,470
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $98,720
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $100,330
    School Psychologists $108,130
    Chemists $82,370
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $101,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Science Technicians make per hour in Los Angeles?

    The median hourly wage for Food Science Technicians in Los Angeles, CA is $24.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.53 or more per hour.

    Is Los Angeles above or below average for Food Science Technicians salaries?

    The median Food Science Technicians salary in Los Angeles, CA is 3.7% 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 Los Angeles?

    Entry-level Food Science Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $38,760 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,910.