Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $99,320 +16.4% vs national
Median hourly $47.75
10th percentile $62,170
90th percentile $144,690
Employed locally 570
National median $85,310

Compare Food Scientists and Technologists salary & buying power

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,170
    25th
    $74,540
    50th (median)
    $99,320
    75th
    $126,240
    90th
    $144,690

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 112% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 12% 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 York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $102,630
    New Jersey $102,630
    Ann Arbor, MI $102,570
    District of Columbia $102,500

    Nearby metros — Food Scientists and Technologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    St. Louis, MO-IL $102,270
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $97,950
    Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $97,500
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $82,190
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $81,060
    Illinois $80,030

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $78,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $98,240
    Chemists $100,720
    School Psychologists $80,600
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $98,780
    Physicists $131,260

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Chicago, IL-IN is $47.75, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $83.54 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 16.4% 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $62,170 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $74,540.