Food Scientists and Technologists salary in New Jersey
Food Scientists and Technologists in New Jersey earn a median of $104,340 a year ($50.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,470 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $88,720. New Jersey ranks 3rd of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $112,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| 25th percentile | $80,020 | $38.47 |
| Median | $104,340 | $50.16 |
| 75th percentile | $132,150 | $63.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,470 | $80.52 |
| Average (mean) | $112,340 | $54.01 |
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 | $8,695 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,347.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,013.08 |
| Weekly | $2,006.54 |
| Hourly | $50.16 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $104,200 | 730 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $96,210 | 230 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $75,980 | 50 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,280 | $62.16 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $122,620 | $58.95 |
| Microbiologist | $96,020 | $46.16 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,750 | $50.36 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Epidemiologist | $109,760 | $52.77 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $91,970 | $44.22 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $103,890 | $49.95 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Chemist | $84,450 | $40.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $127,090 | $61.10 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in New Jersey is $104,340 a year, or $50.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in New Jersey earn at least $167,470 a year. The top 25% earn $132,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,330 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $80,020 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in New Jersey?
About 630 food scientists and technologists are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.