Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Detroit, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Median annual salary $87,070 +2.1% vs national
Median hourly $41.86
10th percentile $43,630
90th percentile $165,270
Employed locally 120
National median $85,310

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Detroit, MI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,630
    25th
    $66,340
    50th (median)
    $87,070
    75th
    $139,680
    90th
    $165,270

    Detroit economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,123 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 116% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 16% 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
    Ann Arbor, MI $102,570
    Missouri $101,570
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $97,950
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $97,390
    Minnesota $94,360
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $89,620

    Related occupations in Detroit, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$81,300
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$80,250
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$82,080
    Chemists$79,220
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$75,200
    Chemical Technicians$48,790

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Detroit, MI is $41.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $52.19 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Detroit, MI is 2.1% 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 Detroit?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $43,630 per year in Detroit, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,340.