Food Scientists and Technologists salary in North Carolina
Food Scientists and Technologists in North Carolina earn a median of $79,840 a year ($38.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,460 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $88,720. North Carolina ranks 30th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.05 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $86,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| 25th percentile | $67,760 | $32.58 |
| Median | $79,840 | $38.38 |
| 75th percentile | $105,780 | $50.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,460 | $66.57 |
| Average (mean) | $86,800 | $41.73 |
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 | $6,653.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,326.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,070.77 |
| Weekly | $1,535.38 |
| Hourly | $38.38 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $87,270 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $68,590 | 110 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Forester | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in North Carolina is $79,840 a year, or $38.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in North Carolina earn at least $138,460 a year. The top 25% earn $105,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,850 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $67,760 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in North Carolina?
About 230 food scientists and technologists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.