Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $89,360 +4.7% vs national
Median hourly $42.96
10th percentile $58,320
90th percentile $142,230
National median $85,310

Compare Food Scientists and Technologists salary & buying power

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

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

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,320
    25th
    $81,830
    50th (median)
    $89,360
    75th
    $119,920
    90th
    $142,230

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 57% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 43% 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 Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$155,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$132,230
    Biological Scientists, All Other$132,630
    Biological Technicians$71,920
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$101,520
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$75,670

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in San Jose, CA is $42.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.56 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in San Jose, CA is 4.7% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $58,320 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $81,830.