Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $105,670 +23.9% vs national
Median hourly $50.81
10th percentile $77,930
90th percentile $150,380
Employed locally 360
National median $85,310

Compare Food Scientists and Technologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Scientists and Technologists
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,930
    25th
    $86,150
    50th (median)
    $105,670
    75th
    $131,110
    90th
    $150,380

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 79% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 21% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Scientists and Technologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    St. Louis, MO-IL $102,270

    Nearby metros — Food Scientists and Technologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Salinas, CA $90,080

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $142,540
    Biological Scientists, All Other $132,670
    Biological Technicians $79,270
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $160,210
    Chemists $126,190
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $80,100

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in San Francisco, CA is $50.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.72 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in San Francisco, CA is 23.9% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $77,930 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $86,150.