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Food Scientist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Food Scientist I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Scientist I in the United States is $70,979 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,836
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,947 to $77,709
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,366
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Food Scientist I Salaries

A Food Scientist I'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 I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Food Scientist I'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): $70,979
  • Food Scientist II (2-4 years): $83,786
  • Food Scientist III (4-7 years): $101,263
  • Food Scientist IV (7+ years): $128,783
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Food Scientist I0-2 years$70,979
Food Scientist II2-4 years$83,786
Food Scientist III4-7 years$101,263
Food Scientist IV7+ years$128,783
View as Graph

How Do Food Scientist Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Food Scientist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $78,588.
  • California: $78,290.
  • Massachusetts: $77,246.

Top Paying Cities for Food Scientist I

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: $89,526
  • San Francisco: $88,546
  • Oakland: $86,680

What Skills Can Increase a Food Scientist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.84% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • New Product Development (Mentioned in 2.25% Job Postings): In business and engineering, new product development (NPD) covers the complete process of bringing a new product to market. A central aspect of NPD is product design, along with various business considerations. New product development is described broadly as the transformation of a market opportunity into a product available for sale. The product can be tangible (something physical which one can touch) or intangible (like a service, experience, or belief), though sometimes services and other processes are distinguished from "products." NPD requires an understanding of customer needs and wants, the competitive environment, and the nature of the market. Cost, time and quality are the main variables that drive customer needs. Aiming at these three variables, innovative companies develop continuous practices and strategies to better satisfy customer requirements and to increase their own market share by a regular development of new products. There are many uncertainties and challenges which companies must face throughout the process. The use of best practices and the elimination of barriers to communication are the main concerns for the management of the NPD .[citation needed]
  • Technical Support (Mentioned in 1.57% Job Postings): Offering hands-on assistance and solutions to end-users in addressing and troubleshooting technical issues.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.84%
New Product Development 2.25%
Technical Support 1.57%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Food Scientist I's salary.

  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
  • Business Acumen: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Development $90,143
27%
Business Acumen $88,724
25%
Interpersonal Communication $88,014
24%
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Food Scientist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Food Scientist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,337. While startup companies pay approximate $67,122.

Food Scientist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $67,122
Growth Stage 51~500 $70,987
Established 501~5000 $76,616
Enterprise 5000+ $79,337

Food Scientist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food Scientist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and MFG Durable 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 I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Food Scientist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$92,273$44.030%
MFG Durable$85,175$41.020%
Chemicals$78,077$38.010%

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

Understanding how a Food Scientist I'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 August 01, 2026
$65,947
Average $70,979/year
$77,709
$5,496
Average $5,915/month
$6,476
$1,268
Average $1,365/week
$1,494
$32
Average $34/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $77,709 $6,476 $1,494 $37
Average $70,979 $5,915 $1,365 $34
25th Percentile $65,947 $5,496 $1,268 $32

Food Scientist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Food Scientist I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Food Scientist I, 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 II $89,931 27%
Bioinformatics Analyst II $82,177 16%
Biochemist II $77,460 9%
Biophysicist $77,313 9%

Most common benefits for Food Scientist I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Food Scientist I

Here are companies hiring for Food Scientist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Food Scientist I

1. Where can a Food Scientist I earn the most?

A Food Scientist I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Food Scientist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Food Scientist I is $89,526.

2. What is the highest pay for Food Scientist I?

The highest pay for Food Scientist I is $83,836.

3. What is the lowest pay for Food Scientist I?

The lowest pay for Food Scientist I is $61,366.

4. What are the responsibilities of Food Scientist I?

Conducts scientific research activities to create, improve, and evaluate food products, ingredients, and processing methods. Studies the chemical, biological, and physical properties of food items or ingredients. Performs experiments involving food chemistry, microbiology, sensory science, and physical analysis to assess the composition, quality, nutritional value, and safety of food products. Develops formulations that meet taste, texture, nutritional, and regulatory requirements. Collaborates with manufacturing teams to transition laboratory concepts into scalable production processes. Documents research findings, maintains accurate testing records, and prepares technical reports for internal stakeholders. Requires a bachelor's degree in food science. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Food Scientist I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Food Scientist I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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