Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area earn a median of $85,610 a year ($41.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,580 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 9% lower than the California statewide median of $93,950. There are 0.43 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| 25th percentile | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Median | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| 75th percentile | $112,430 | $54.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,580 | $66.63 |
| Average (mean) | $94,240 | $45.31 |
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 | $7,134.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,567.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,292.69 |
| Weekly | $1,646.35 |
| Hourly | $41.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| Salinas, CA | $90,080 | 30 |
| 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 |
| 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 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $145,340 | $69.87 |
| Conservation Scientist | $80,900 | $38.90 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $110,330 | $53.04 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $86,670 | $41.67 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Microbiologist | $123,590 | $59.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,620 | $56.07 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $109,710 | $52.75 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,270 | $49.17 |
| Food Science Technician | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $123,090 | $59.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $74,410 | $35.77 |
| Chemist | $92,240 | $44.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, 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 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area is $85,610 a year, or $41.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area earn at least $138,580 a year. The top 25% earn $112,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,960 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $66,460 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA?
About 90 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.