Food Science Technician salary in Salem, OR
Food Science Technicians in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $45,200 a year ($21.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,900 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 11% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $50,590. There are 0.69 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,730 | $19.58 |
| 25th percentile | $40,730 | $19.58 |
| Median | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| 75th percentile | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Average (mean) | $47,400 | $22.79 |
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 | $3,766.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,883.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,738.46 |
| Weekly | $869.23 |
| Hourly | $21.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $51,570 | 280 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $49,680 | 80 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| Agricultural Technician | $38,720 | $18.61 |
| Biological Technician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,680 | $46.00 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $143,980 | $69.22 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $107,960 | $51.91 |
| Forester | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Conservation Scientist | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| School Psychologist | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Economist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Salem, OR metro area is $45,200 a year, or $21.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $59,900 a year. The top 25% earn $51,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,730 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $40,730 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Salem, OR?
About 130 food science technicians are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.