Food Science Technician salary in Pennsylvania
Food Science Technicians in Pennsylvania earn a median of $48,060 a year ($23.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,200 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $52,130. Pennsylvania ranks 28th of 38 states for food science technicians pay. There are 0.10 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| 25th percentile | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| Median | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| 75th percentile | $57,490 | $27.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,200 | $29.90 |
| Average (mean) | $49,820 | $23.95 |
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 | $4,005 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,002.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,848.46 |
| Weekly | $924.23 |
| Hourly | $23.11 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $60,320 | 80 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $54,570 | 50 |
| Lancaster, PA | $53,130 | 70 |
| 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
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $54,610 | $26.26 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,580 | $29.60 |
| Nuclear Technician | $124,070 | $59.65 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for food science technicians in Pennsylvania is $48,060 a year, or $23.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of food science technicians in Pennsylvania earn at least $62,200 a year. The top 25% earn $57,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,590 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $40,440 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Pennsylvania?
About 590 food science technicians are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.