Food Scientists and Technologists salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Food Scientists and Technologists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $108,200 a year ($52.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,280 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 2% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $105,930. There are 0.20 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $107,530, close to the median.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| 25th percentile | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| Median | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| 75th percentile | $135,890 | $65.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,280 | $81.38 |
| Average (mean) | $107,530 | $51.70 |
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 | $9,016.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,508.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,161.54 |
| Weekly | $2,080.77 |
| Hourly | $52.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $105,350 | 180 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,390 | 610 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Conservation Scientist | $62,390 | $30.00 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| Microbiologist | $89,630 | $43.09 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Epidemiologist | $67,010 | $32.22 |
| Forester | $73,950 | $35.56 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,010 | $45.20 |
| Chemist | $86,690 | $41.68 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,250 | $48.68 |
| Chemical Technician | $73,290 | $35.24 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $108,200 a year, or $52.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $169,280 a year. The top 25% earn $135,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,500 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $78,640 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 270 food scientists and technologists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.