Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $101,770 +19.3% vs national
Median hourly $48.93
10th percentile $55,420
90th percentile $154,880
Employed locally 170
National median $85,310

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Seattle, WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,420
    25th
    $77,270
    50th (median)
    $101,770
    75th
    $154,880
    90th
    $154,880

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 90% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 10% 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $102,630
    Washington $96,020
    Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR $94,770
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $92,340
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $87,070
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $81,060

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $101,500
    Biological Technicians $58,090
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $98,950
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $99,680
    Urban and Regional Planners $103,410
    Biological Scientists, All Other $98,750

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Seattle, WA is $48.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.61 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Seattle, WA is 19.3% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $55,420 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,270.