Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $64,200 -24.7% vs national
Median hourly $30.87
10th percentile $51,370
90th percentile $78,800
Employed locally 90
National median $85,310

Compare Food Scientists and Technologists salary & buying power

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Raleigh, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,370
    25th
    $64,200
    50th (median)
    $64,200
    75th
    $78,800
    90th
    $78,800

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 67% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 33% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $105,670
    Lancaster, PA $95,110
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $94,920
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $87,270
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $80,390
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $78,390

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $66,370
    Chemists $80,940
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $102,470
    Biological Scientists, All Other $102,030
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $81,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $117,060

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Raleigh, NC is $30.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.57 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Raleigh, NC is 24.7% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $51,370 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,200.