Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Oregon
Food Scientists and Technologists in Oregon earn a median of $81,660 a year ($39.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,250 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $88,720. Oregon ranks 28th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.14 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| 25th percentile | $68,150 | $32.77 |
| Median | $81,660 | $39.26 |
| 75th percentile | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,250 | $56.85 |
| Average (mean) | $84,820 | $40.78 |
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 | $6,805 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,402.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,140.77 |
| Weekly | $1,570.38 |
| Hourly | $39.26 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | $85,960 | 30 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,050 | 150 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Forester | $81,450 | $39.16 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| Microbiologist | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $113,450 | $54.55 |
| Epidemiologist | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,240 | $45.79 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Biological Technician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $97,440 | $46.85 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Oregon is $81,660 a year, or $39.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Oregon?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Oregon earn at least $118,250 a year. The top 25% earn $98,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,390 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $68,150 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Oregon?
About 270 food scientists and technologists are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.