Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $78,390 -8.1% vs national
Median hourly $37.69
10th percentile $59,880
90th percentile $123,750
Employed locally 180
National median $85,310

Compare Food Scientists and Technologists salary & buying power

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,880
    25th
    $63,510
    50th (median)
    $78,390
    75th
    $96,010
    90th
    $123,750

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 83% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 17% below 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $102,630
    Ann Arbor, MI $102,570
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $101,070
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $100,420
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $97,630
    New York $95,710

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Biological Technicians $47,390
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $99,540
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $88,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $97,380
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $62,190
    Urban and Regional Planners $99,480

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Portland, OR-WA is $37.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $56.42 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Portland, OR-WA is 8.1% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $59,880 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,510.