Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Rhode Island
Food Scientists and Technologists in Rhode Island earn a median of $87,970 a year ($42.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,590 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $88,720. Rhode Island ranks 19th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.09 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,530, close to the median.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,580 | $31.53 |
| 25th percentile | $78,560 | $37.77 |
| Median | $87,970 | $42.29 |
| 75th percentile | $89,990 | $43.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,590 | $48.36 |
| Average (mean) | $85,530 | $41.12 |
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 | $7,330.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,665.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,383.46 |
| Weekly | $1,691.73 |
| Hourly | $42.29 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $86,150 | 70 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,370 | $49.70 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $101,750 | $48.92 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,130 | $36.60 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $76,710 | $36.88 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $107,490 | $51.68 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $51,420 | $24.72 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $69,630 | $33.48 |
| School Psychologist | $94,900 | $45.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,740 | $48.91 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,680 | $29.66 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $90,210 | $43.37 |
| Chemist | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Biological Technician | $45,530 | $21.89 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Rhode Island is $87,970 a year, or $42.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Rhode Island earn at least $100,590 a year. The top 25% earn $89,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,580 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $78,560 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Rhode Island?
About 40 food scientists and technologists are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.