Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Washington
Food Scientists and Technologists in Washington earn a median of $94,990 a year ($45.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,740 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $88,720. Washington ranks 10th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.07 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $101,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| 25th percentile | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| Median | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| 75th percentile | $128,890 | $61.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,740 | $78.24 |
| Average (mean) | $101,900 | $48.99 |
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 | $7,915.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,957.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,653.46 |
| Weekly | $1,826.73 |
| Hourly | $45.67 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $100,000 | 120 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,050 | 150 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,110 | $51.97 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Epidemiologist | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Forester | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,970 | $38.45 |
| Microbiologist | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Animal Scientist | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Washington is $94,990 a year, or $45.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Washington?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Washington earn at least $162,740 a year. The top 25% earn $128,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,520 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $77,170 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Washington?
About 250 food scientists and technologists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.