Food Science Technicians Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $60,540 +22.5% vs national
Median hourly $29.11
10th percentile $45,670
90th percentile $82,290
Employed locally 40
National median $49,430

Compare Food Science Technicians salary & buying power

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Food Science Technicians
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,670
    25th
    $49,160
    50th (median)
    $60,540
    75th
    $69,230
    90th
    $82,290

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 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
    Merced, CA $58,880
    Napa, CA $58,300

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $79,670
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $144,660
    Urban and Regional Planners $109,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $86,680
    Biological Technicians $59,200
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers $129,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Science Technicians make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Food Science Technicians in Santa Cruz, CA is $29.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.56 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Food Science Technicians salaries?

    The median Food Science Technicians salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 22.5% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Food Science Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $45,670 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,160.