Food Science Technicians Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $48,130 -2.6% vs national
Median hourly $23.14
10th percentile $40,490
90th percentile $63,640
Employed locally 280
National median $49,430

Compare Food Science Technicians salary & buying power

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Food Science Technicians
in
Riverside, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,490
    25th
    $44,990
    50th (median)
    $48,130
    75th
    $58,110
    90th
    $63,640

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Science Technicians salary vs area income 56% Median Food Science Technicians salary is 44% 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 Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $92,230
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $57,610
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,890
    School Psychologists $124,200
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $96,390
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $96,600

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Science Technicians in Riverside, CA is $23.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.80 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Science Technicians salary in Riverside, CA is 2.6% below 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Food Science Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $40,490 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,990.