Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $99,900 a year ($48.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,260 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $99,580. There are 0.14 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $107,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,280 | $31.86 |
| 25th percentile | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Median | $99,900 | $48.03 |
| 75th percentile | $132,450 | $63.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,260 | $78.97 |
| Average (mean) | $107,360 | $51.61 |
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 | $8,325 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,162.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,842.31 |
| Weekly | $1,921.15 |
| Hourly | $48.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologist | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,190 | $39.04 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| Microbiologist | $95,980 | $46.14 |
| Forester | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| Biological Technician | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $120,480 | $57.92 |
| Chemist | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| School Psychologist | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,800 | $28.75 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $99,900 a year, or $48.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $164,260 a year. The top 25% earn $132,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,280 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $80,490 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 220 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.