Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Columbus, OH
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $79,560 a year ($38.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,790 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 4% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $76,780. There are 0.08 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| 25th percentile | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Median | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| 75th percentile | $112,920 | $54.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,790 | $63.84 |
| Average (mean) | $82,210 | $39.52 |
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 | $6,630 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,315 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,060 |
| Weekly | $1,530 |
| Hourly | $38.25 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $90,210 | 130 |
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 |
See Food Scientists and Technologists pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Microbiologist | $78,030 | $37.51 |
| Conservation Scientist | $66,110 | $31.79 |
| Epidemiologist | $80,980 | $38.94 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $75,400 | $36.25 |
| Forester | $71,340 | $34.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Chemist | $94,170 | $45.27 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,340 | $29.97 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Columbus, OH metro area is $79,560 a year, or $38.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $132,790 a year. The top 25% earn $112,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,570 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $48,570 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Columbus, OH?
About 90 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.