Food Science Technicians Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $49,360 -0.1% vs national
Median hourly $23.73
10th percentile $43,490
90th percentile $73,690
Employed locally 160
National median $49,430

Compare Food Science Technicians salary & buying power

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

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Food Science Technicians
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,490
    25th
    $47,080
    50th (median)
    $49,360
    75th
    $60,700
    90th
    $73,690

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Science Technicians salary vs area income 48% Median Food Science Technicians salary is 52% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other$105,160
    Biological Technicians$61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$97,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Science Technicians make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Food Science Technicians in San Diego, CA is $23.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.19 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Food Science Technicians salaries?

    The median Food Science Technicians salary in San Diego, CA is 0.1% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Food Science Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $43,490 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,080.