Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Tennessee
Food Scientists and Technologists in Tennessee earn a median of $81,760 a year ($39.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,670 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $88,720. Tennessee ranks 27th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.02 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.25). The average (mean) salary is $84,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,660 | $31.09 |
| 25th percentile | $69,150 | $33.24 |
| Median | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| 75th percentile | $95,210 | $45.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,670 | $50.80 |
| Average (mean) | $84,820 | $40.78 |
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 | $6,813.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,406.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,144.62 |
| Weekly | $1,572.31 |
| Hourly | $39.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $73,570 | $35.37 |
| Conservation Scientist | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| Epidemiologist | $97,310 | $46.78 |
| Microbiologist | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| Forester | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,560 | $64.69 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $108,770 | $52.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $54,840 | $26.36 |
| Biological Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Tennessee is $81,760 a year, or $39.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Tennessee earn at least $105,670 a year. The top 25% earn $95,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,660 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $69,150 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Tennessee?
About 70 food scientists and technologists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.