Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Lincoln, NE
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $56,250 a year ($27.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,250 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 22% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $72,230. There are 0.41 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,970 | $19.70 |
| 25th percentile | $50,710 | $24.38 |
| Median | $56,250 | $27.04 |
| 75th percentile | $60,050 | $28.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,250 | $42.43 |
| Average (mean) | $61,830 | $29.73 |
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 | $4,687.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,343.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,163.46 |
| Weekly | $1,081.73 |
| Hourly | $27.04 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $90,770 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,260 | 40 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Scientist | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $63,760 | $30.65 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,170 | $39.02 |
| Epidemiologist | $73,060 | $35.13 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $64,450 | $30.99 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $120,000 | $57.69 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $65,560 | $31.52 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| Chemist | $82,920 | $39.87 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,680 | $29.66 |
| Economist | $70,400 | $33.85 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $65,480 | $31.48 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $56,250 a year, or $27.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $88,250 a year. The top 25% earn $60,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,970 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $50,710 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Lincoln, NE?
About 70 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.