Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $77,360 -9.3% vs national
Median hourly $37.19
10th percentile $58,670
90th percentile $124,940
Employed locally 30
National median $85,310

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,670
    25th
    $60,640
    50th (median)
    $77,360
    75th
    $104,270
    90th
    $124,940

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 119% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 19% 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
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $99,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $99,140
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $97,950
    Lancaster, PA $95,110
    Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $95,090

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Food Science Technicians $58,880
    School Psychologists $125,660
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $82,260
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $108,410

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Merced, CA is $37.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.90 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Merced, CA is 9.3% below 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $58,670 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,640.