Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $87,200 +2.2% vs national
Median hourly $41.92
10th percentile $56,910
90th percentile $122,310
Employed locally 160
National median $85,310

Compare Food Scientists and Technologists salary & buying power

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Riverside, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,910
    25th
    $69,560
    50th (median)
    $87,200
    75th
    $99,150
    90th
    $122,310

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 101% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 1% 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 Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $92,230
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $57,610
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,890
    School Psychologists $124,200
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $96,390
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $96,600

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Riverside, CA is $41.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.74 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Riverside, CA is 2.2% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $56,910 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $69,560.