Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $68,590 a year ($32.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,460 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 14% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $79,840. 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 $84,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,840 | $25.41 |
| 25th percentile | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| Median | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| 75th percentile | $85,780 | $41.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,460 | $66.57 |
| Average (mean) | $84,180 | $40.47 |
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 | $5,715.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,857.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,638.08 |
| Weekly | $1,319.04 |
| Hourly | $32.98 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $87,270 | 40 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Microbiologist | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Forester | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,400 | $39.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Chemist | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $96,560 | $46.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $68,590 a year, or $32.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $138,460 a year. The top 25% earn $85,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,840 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $68,590 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 110 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.