Food Science Technician salary in Rochester, NY
Food Science Technicians in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $54,970 a year ($26.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,740 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 1% lower than the New York statewide median of $55,470. There are 0.07 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $56,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| 25th percentile | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| Median | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| 75th percentile | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Average (mean) | $56,520 | $27.17 |
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 | $4,580.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,290.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,114.23 |
| Weekly | $1,057.12 |
| Hourly | $26.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $61,870 | 80 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $60,020 | 580 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Biological Technician | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,320 | $26.60 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $66,340 | $31.89 |
| School Psychologist | $73,050 | $35.12 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Chemist | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,160 | $36.13 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $89,230 | $42.90 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,010 | $51.45 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $58,850 | $28.29 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Rochester, NY metro area is $54,970 a year, or $26.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $81,740 a year. The top 25% earn $58,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,260 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $50,160 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Rochester, NY?
About 40 food science technicians are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.