Food Science Technician salary in Washington
Food Science Technicians in Washington earn a median of $62,070 a year ($29.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,850 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $52,130. Washington ranks 3rd of 38 states for food science technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.19 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| 25th percentile | $48,740 | $23.44 |
| Median | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| 75th percentile | $79,850 | $38.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,850 | $38.39 |
| Average (mean) | $65,120 | $31.31 |
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 | $5,172.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,586.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,387.31 |
| Weekly | $1,193.65 |
| Hourly | $29.84 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $79,850 | 420 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $51,570 | 280 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $48,550 | 90 |
| Yakima, WA | $47,590 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for food science technicians
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,160 | $26.04 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $73,530 | $35.35 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,220 | $23.19 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $50,420 | $24.24 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for food science technicians in Washington is $62,070 a year, or $29.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Washington?
The top 10% of food science technicians in Washington earn at least $79,850 a year. The top 25% earn $79,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,930 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $48,740 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Washington?
About 660 food science technicians are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.