Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Modesto, CA

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

Median annual salary $81,740 -4.2% vs national
Median hourly $39.30
10th percentile $48,830
90th percentile $133,930
Employed locally 90
National median $85,310

Compare Food Scientists and Technologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Modesto, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Modesto, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,830
    25th
    $66,820
    50th (median)
    $81,740
    75th
    $103,410
    90th
    $133,930

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 103% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 3% 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 Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Food Science Technicians $48,940
    Chemical Technicians $55,310
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $95,320
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $136,180
    Chemists $81,180
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $83,000

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Modesto, CA is $39.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.72 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Modesto, CA is 4.2% 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 Modesto?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $48,830 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,820.