Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $87,270 +2.3% vs national
Median hourly $41.96
10th percentile $39,390
90th percentile $139,260
Employed locally 40
National median $85,310

Compare Food Scientists and Technologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Charlotte, NC-SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Charlotte, NC-SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,390
    25th
    $56,420
    50th (median)
    $87,270
    75th
    $123,600
    90th
    $139,260

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 109% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 9% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Scientists and Technologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $105,670
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $103,810
    New Jersey $102,630
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $102,630
    Ann Arbor, MI $102,570
    District of Columbia $102,500

    Nearby metros — Food Scientists and Technologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $105,670
    Lancaster, PA $95,110
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $94,920
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $80,390
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $78,390
    Lawrence, KS $64,210

    Related occupations in Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $84,990
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $67,500
    Chemists $79,650
    School Psychologists $80,030
    Urban and Regional Planners $80,390
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $125,420

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make per hour in Charlotte?

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Charlotte, NC-SC is $41.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.95 or more per hour.

    Is Charlotte above or below average for Food Scientists and Technologists salaries?

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Charlotte, NC-SC is 2.3% above the national median of $85,310. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Scientists and Technologists in Charlotte?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $39,390 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,420.