Food Science Technician salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Food Science Technicians in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $48,970 a year ($23.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,720 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 2% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $48,060. There are 0.03 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $47,240, close to the median.
Pay range for food science technicians in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| 25th percentile | $42,090 | $20.23 |
| Median | $48,970 | $23.55 |
| 75th percentile | $48,970 | $23.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,720 | $26.31 |
| Average (mean) | $47,240 | $22.71 |
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 | $4,080.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,040.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,883.46 |
| Weekly | $941.73 |
| Hourly | $23.55 |
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 |
| Lancaster, PA | $53,130 | 70 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $50,310 | 40 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Biological Technician | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $43,440 | $20.88 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| Chemist | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,510 | $44.48 |
| School Psychologist | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,630 | $41.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $48,970 a year, or $23.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $54,720 a year. The top 25% earn $48,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,020 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $42,090 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 30 food science technicians are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.