Food Science Technician salary in Lancaster, PA
Food Science Technicians in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median of $53,130 a year ($25.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,740 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 11% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $48,060. There are 0.26 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,260, close to the median.
Pay range for food science technicians in Lancaster, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| 25th percentile | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| Median | $53,130 | $25.54 |
| 75th percentile | $57,830 | $27.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Average (mean) | $52,260 | $25.12 |
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 | $4,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,213.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,043.46 |
| Weekly | $1,021.73 |
| Hourly | $25.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Science Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $60,320 | 80 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $54,570 | 50 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $50,310 | 40 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $48,970 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $48,060 | 250 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $44,720 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for food science technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $65,360 |
| Kentucky | $64,770 |
| Washington | $62,070 |
| Vermont | $60,980 |
| Illinois | $60,820 |
| Missouri | $59,570 |
| Nevada | $59,070 |
| Colorado | $58,540 |
| Florida | $58,500 |
| Minnesota | $57,940 |
See Food Science Technician pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $53,880 | $25.90 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| School Psychologist | $97,110 | $46.69 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,520 | $39.19 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,120 | $43.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $66,310 | $31.88 |
| Conservation Scientist | $54,350 | $26.13 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,100 | $38.51 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lancaster, PA
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 Lancaster, PA?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $53,130 a year, or $25.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Lancaster, PA?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn at least $60,740 a year. The top 25% earn $57,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Lancaster, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,770 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $44,550 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Lancaster, PA?
About 70 food science technicians are employed in the Lancaster, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.