Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Kentucky
Food Scientists and Technologists in Kentucky earn a median of $98,710 a year ($47.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,650 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $88,720. Kentucky ranks 8th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.09 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,080, close to the median.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| 25th percentile | $70,850 | $34.06 |
| Median | $98,710 | $47.46 |
| 75th percentile | $122,320 | $58.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,650 | $66.18 |
| Average (mean) | $96,080 | $46.19 |
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 | $8,225.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,112.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,796.54 |
| Weekly | $1,898.27 |
| Hourly | $47.46 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $90,210 | 130 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $74,150 | 30 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| Conservation Scientist | $71,980 | $34.61 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $61,950 | $29.79 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $67,340 | $32.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Forester | $56,460 | $27.15 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Microbiologist | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Kentucky is $98,710 a year, or $47.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Kentucky earn at least $137,650 a year. The top 25% earn $122,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,480 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $70,850 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Kentucky?
About 170 food scientists and technologists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.