Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Modesto, CA
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $80,960 a year ($38.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,780 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 14% lower than the California statewide median of $93,950. There are 0.39 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,320 | $25.15 |
| 25th percentile | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Median | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| 75th percentile | $105,050 | $50.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,780 | $66.72 |
| Average (mean) | $92,170 | $44.31 |
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 | $6,746.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,373.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,113.85 |
| Weekly | $1,556.92 |
| Hourly | $38.92 |
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 |
| Merced, CA | $96,430 | 40 |
| 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 |
| 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 Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $143,760 | $69.11 |
| Microbiologist | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $81,570 | $39.22 |
| Food Science Technician | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,910 | $45.63 |
| Chemical Technician | $56,250 | $27.05 |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| School Psychologist | $128,750 | $61.90 |
| Chemist | $83,120 | $39.96 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $69,900 | $33.61 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $123,030 | $59.15 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $69,100 | $33.22 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $103,840 | $49.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Modesto, CA metro area is $80,960 a year, or $38.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $138,780 a year. The top 25% earn $105,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,320 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $66,390 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Modesto, CA?
About 80 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.