Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Salinas, CA

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

Median annual salary $90,080 +5.6% vs national
Median hourly $43.31
10th percentile $51,920
90th percentile $132,420
Employed locally 30
National median $85,310

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,920
    25th
    $71,460
    50th (median)
    $90,080
    75th
    $120,730
    90th
    $132,420

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 95% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 5% 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
    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 Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Forest and Conservation Technicians $64,020
    Urban and Regional Planners $104,290
    School Psychologists $126,730
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $95,100
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $89,760
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $138,590

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Salinas, CA is $43.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.66 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Salinas, CA is 5.6% 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $51,920 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $71,460.