Food Science Technician salary in Kentucky
Food Science Technicians in Kentucky earn a median of $64,770 a year ($31.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,410 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $52,130. Kentucky ranks 2nd of 38 states for food science technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.08 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,170 | $20.28 |
| 25th percentile | $52,640 | $25.31 |
| Median | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| 75th percentile | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,410 | $40.58 |
| Average (mean) | $66,530 | $31.99 |
Half of food science technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,397.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,698.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,491.15 |
| Weekly | $1,245.58 |
| Hourly | $31.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Science Technician salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $84,320 | 60 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,480 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for food science technicians
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Biological Technician | $48,910 | $23.52 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Agricultural Technician | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,470 | $29.56 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food science technician make in Kentucky?
The median salary for food science technicians in Kentucky is $64,770 a year, or $31.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of food science technicians in Kentucky earn at least $84,410 a year. The top 25% earn $80,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,170 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $52,640 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Kentucky?
About 160 food science technicians are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.