Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Salinas, CA
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $90,080 a year ($43.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,420 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 4% lower than the California statewide median of $93,950. There are 0.18 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,920 | $24.96 |
| 25th percentile | $71,460 | $34.36 |
| Median | $90,080 | $43.31 |
| 75th percentile | $120,730 | $58.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,420 | $63.66 |
| Average (mean) | $93,080 | $44.75 |
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 | $7,506.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,753.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,464.62 |
| Weekly | $1,732.31 |
| Hourly | $43.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $110,810 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,930 | 380 |
| Merced, CA | $96,430 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $93,750 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $91,060 | 550 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $90,040 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $89,050 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $88,010 | 110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $85,930 | 80 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $85,610 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $85,360 | 170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $83,140 | 40 |
| Modesto, CA | $80,960 | 80 |
| Napa, CA | $80,320 | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,900 | 50 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $66,120 | 30 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,540 | $50.26 |
| Conservation Scientist | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $84,900 | $40.82 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $115,910 | $55.73 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $99,770 | $47.97 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $125,300 | $60.24 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $98,430 | $47.32 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Agricultural Technician | $53,510 | $25.73 |
| Food Science Technician | $52,870 | $25.42 |
| Biological Technician | $59,320 | $28.52 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,510 | $30.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
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 Salinas, CA?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Salinas, CA metro area is $90,080 a year, or $43.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $132,420 a year. The top 25% earn $120,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,920 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $71,460 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Salinas, CA?
About 30 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Salinas, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.