Food Science Technicians Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $58,880 +19.1% vs national
Median hourly $28.31
10th percentile $44,850
90th percentile $66,460
Employed locally 220
National median $49,430

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Food Science Technicians
in
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,850
    25th
    $46,110
    50th (median)
    $58,880
    75th
    $66,460
    90th
    $66,460

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Science Technicians salary vs area income 91% Median Food Science Technicians salary is 9% 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
    Napa, CA $58,300

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    School Psychologists$125,660
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$82,260
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$108,410
    Food Scientists and Technologists$77,360

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Science Technicians in Merced, CA is $28.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.78 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Science Technicians salary in Merced, CA is 19.1% 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Food Science Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $44,850 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,110.