Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Madison, WI
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $66,080 a year ($31.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,520 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 20% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $83,020. There are 0.09 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,180 | $25.09 |
| 25th percentile | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Median | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| 75th percentile | $94,510 | $45.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,520 | $58.42 |
| Average (mean) | $78,900 | $37.93 |
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 | $5,506.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,753.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,541.54 |
| Weekly | $1,270.77 |
| Hourly | $31.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $101,760 | 440 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $86,230 | 90 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Microbiologist | $67,940 | $32.66 |
| Conservation Scientist | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| Animal Scientist | $84,310 | $40.54 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Forester | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| Epidemiologist | $88,770 | $42.68 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Madison, WI metro area is $66,080 a year, or $31.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $121,520 a year. The top 25% earn $94,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,180 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $60,490 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Madison, WI?
About 40 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.