Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $73,650 -13.7% vs national
Median hourly $35.41
10th percentile $48,090
90th percentile $123,970
Employed locally 30
National median $85,310

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,090
    25th
    $48,090
    50th (median)
    $73,650
    75th
    $99,210
    90th
    $123,970

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 77% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 23% 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$105,750
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$131,170
    Biological Scientists, All Other$111,220
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$100,240
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$95,100
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$92,790

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Santa Maria, CA is $35.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.60 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Santa Maria, CA is 13.7% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $48,090 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,090.