Food Science Technician salary in Virginia
Food Science Technicians in Virginia earn a median of $65,360 a year ($31.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,700 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $52,130. Virginia ranks 1st of 38 states for food science technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $65,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,250 | $22.72 |
| 25th percentile | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Median | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| 75th percentile | $72,950 | $35.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Average (mean) | $65,500 | $31.49 |
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 | $5,446.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,723.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,513.85 |
| Weekly | $1,256.92 |
| Hourly | $31.42 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $72,950 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for food science technicians
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Biological Technician | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,850 | $24.93 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $68,900 | $33.12 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| Nuclear Technician | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,210 | $19.81 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for food science technicians in Virginia is $65,360 a year, or $31.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Virginia?
The top 10% of food science technicians in Virginia earn at least $78,700 a year. The top 25% earn $72,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,250 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $60,490 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Virginia?
About 150 food science technicians are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.