Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Merced, CA
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median of $96,430 a year ($46.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,560 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 3% higher than the California statewide median of $93,950. There are 0.47 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Merced, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| 25th percentile | $78,760 | $37.86 |
| Median | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| 75th percentile | $119,670 | $57.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,560 | $71.90 |
| Average (mean) | $102,000 | $49.04 |
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 | $8,035.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,017.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,708.85 |
| Weekly | $1,854.42 |
| Hourly | $46.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $110,810 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,930 | 380 |
| Fresno, CA | $93,750 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $91,060 | 550 |
| Salinas, CA | $90,080 | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $90,040 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $89,050 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $88,010 | 110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $85,930 | 80 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $85,610 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $85,360 | 170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $83,140 | 40 |
| Modesto, CA | $80,960 | 80 |
| Napa, CA | $80,320 | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,900 | 50 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $66,120 | 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 |
See Food Scientists and Technologists pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Merced, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Science Technician | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| School Psychologist | $133,230 | $64.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,470 | $45.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Merced, CA
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 Merced, CA?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Merced, CA metro area is $96,430 a year, or $46.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Merced, CA?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Merced, CA metro area earn at least $149,560 a year. The top 25% earn $119,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Merced, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,760 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $78,760 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Merced, CA?
About 40 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Merced, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.