Food Science Technician salary in Merced, CA
Food Science Technicians in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median of $50,750 a year ($24.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,260 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 6% lower than the California statewide median of $54,200. There are 2.6 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 28.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Merced, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,350 | $21.81 |
| 25th percentile | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| Median | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| 75th percentile | $70,260 | $33.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,260 | $33.78 |
| Average (mean) | $56,410 | $27.12 |
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 | $4,229.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,114.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,951.92 |
| Weekly | $975.96 |
| Hourly | $24.40 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,620 | 200 |
| Napa, CA | $61,430 | 140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $60,980 | 310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $59,580 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $58,640 | 110 |
| Vallejo, CA | $57,630 | 70 |
| Modesto, CA | $56,220 | 180 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $54,410 | 970 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $53,530 | 80 |
| Salinas, CA | $52,870 | 50 |
| Chico, CA | $51,390 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $50,900 | 390 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $50,390 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $49,790 | 70 |
| Visalia, CA | $49,270 | 220 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $48,480 | 170 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $48,100 | 90 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $46,710 | 60 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,350 | 250 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Merced, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $133,230 | $64.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,470 | $45.42 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $96,430 | $46.36 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Merced, CA
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 Merced, CA?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Merced, CA metro area is $50,750 a year, or $24.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Merced, CA?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Merced, CA metro area earn at least $70,260 a year. The top 25% earn $70,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Merced, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,350 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $46,880 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Merced, CA?
About 210 food science technicians are employed in the Merced, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.