Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Colorado
Food Scientists and Technologists in Colorado earn a median of $99,580 a year ($47.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,640 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $88,720. Colorado ranks 6th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.11 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $104,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,280 | $31.86 |
| 25th percentile | $74,830 | $35.98 |
| Median | $99,580 | $47.87 |
| 75th percentile | $130,830 | $62.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,640 | $77.71 |
| Average (mean) | $104,170 | $50.08 |
Half of food scientists and technologists 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 | $8,298.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,149.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,830 |
| Weekly | $1,915 |
| Hourly | $47.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $99,900 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for food scientists and technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | $108,660 |
| Missouri | $105,930 |
| New Jersey | $104,340 |
| Massachusetts | $103,580 |
| Florida | $101,160 |
| Colorado | $99,580 |
| Minnesota | $99,280 |
| Kentucky | $98,710 |
| Alabama | $97,480 |
| Washington | $94,990 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| Epidemiologist | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| Microbiologist | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Forester | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1012. 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 scientists and technologists make in Colorado?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Colorado is $99,580 a year, or $47.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Colorado earn at least $161,640 a year. The top 25% earn $130,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,280 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $74,830 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Colorado?
About 320 food scientists and technologists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.