Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Missouri
Food Scientists and Technologists in Missouri earn a median of $105,930 a year ($50.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,540 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $88,720. Missouri ranks 2nd of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.13 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $103,780, close to the median.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| 25th percentile | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Median | $105,930 | $50.93 |
| 75th percentile | $126,680 | $60.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,540 | $74.30 |
| Average (mean) | $103,780 | $49.89 |
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 | $8,827.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,413.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,074.23 |
| Weekly | $2,037.12 |
| Hourly | $50.93 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $108,200 | 270 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $105,350 | 180 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Microbiologist | $78,590 | $37.78 |
| Epidemiologist | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| Forester | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Chemist | $82,800 | $39.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Missouri is $105,930 a year, or $50.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Missouri earn at least $154,540 a year. The top 25% earn $126,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,400 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $78,630 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Missouri?
About 390 food scientists and technologists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.