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Food Scientist IV Salary in San Jose, CA

How much does a Food Scientist IV make in San Jose, CA?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Scientist IV in San Jose, CA is $162,419 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.

However, a Food Scientist IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $187,621
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $151,613 to $175,611
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $141,775
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Food Scientist IV Salaries

A Food Scientist IV's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Food Scientist IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Food Scientist IV's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Food Scientist I (0-2 years): $89,531
  • Food Scientist II (2-4 years): $105,682
  • Food Scientist III (4-7 years): $127,714
  • Food Scientist IV (7+ years): $162,419
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Food Scientist I0-2 years$89,531
Food Scientist II2-4 years$105,682
Food Scientist III4-7 years$127,714
Food Scientist IV7+ years$162,419
View as Graph

Top Paying Cities for Food Scientist IVs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $162,419
  • San Francisco: $160,641
  • Oakland: $157,255

Food Scientist IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Food Scientist IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $180,946. While startup companies pay approximate $153,228.

Food Scientist IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $153,228
Growth Stage 51~500 $162,011
Established 501~5000 $174,724
Enterprise 5000+ $180,946

Food Scientist IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food Scientist IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Durable and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Food Scientist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Scientist IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Food Scientist IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable$167,402$80.030%
Biotechnology$154,525$74.020%
Chemicals$141,648$68.010%

Food Scientist IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Food Scientist IV's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$151,613
Average $162,419/year
$175,611
$12,634
Average $13,535/month
$14,634
$2,916
Average $3,123/week
$3,377
$73
Average $78/hour
$84
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $175,611 $14,634 $3,377 $84
Average $162,419 $13,535 $3,123 $78
25th Percentile $151,613 $12,634 $2,916 $73

Food Scientist IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Food Scientist IV

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Food Scientist IV, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Pharmacokinetics Scientist V $190,876 18%
Bioinformatics Analyst V $203,851 26%
Biopharma Process Development Scientist V $194,581 20%
Epidemiology Research Scientist V $205,448 26%

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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