Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $83,080 -2.6% vs national
Median hourly $39.94
10th percentile $60,400
90th percentile $134,310
Employed locally 90
National median $85,310

Compare Food Scientists and Technologists salary & buying power

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,400
    25th
    $69,670
    50th (median)
    $83,080
    75th
    $106,100
    90th
    $134,310

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 81% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 19% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in San Diego, CA is $39.94, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $68.15 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in San Diego, CA is 2.6% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $60,400 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $69,670.