Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Michigan
Food Scientists and Technologists in Michigan earn a median of $76,940 a year ($36.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,910 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $88,720. Michigan ranks 33rd of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.10 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,620 | $26.74 |
| 25th percentile | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Median | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| 75th percentile | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,910 | $64.86 |
| Average (mean) | $85,700 | $41.20 |
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 | $6,411.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,205.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,959.23 |
| Weekly | $1,479.62 |
| Hourly | $36.99 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $105,420 | 40 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $78,610 | 70 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $67,790 | 130 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $63,030 | 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 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $109,340 | $52.57 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| Microbiologist | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Forester | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Animal Scientist | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Chemist | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,080 | $36.58 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Michigan is $76,940 a year, or $36.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Michigan earn at least $134,910 a year. The top 25% earn $100,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,620 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $63,030 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Michigan?
About 430 food scientists and technologists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.