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Food Scientist III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Scientist III in the United States is $101,263 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,469
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $90,374 to $111,316
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,460
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Food Scientist III Salaries

A Food Scientist III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Food Scientist III'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 IIIs 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $112,118.
  • California: $111,693.
  • Massachusetts: $110,205.

Top Paying Cities for Food Scientist III

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: $127,723
  • San Francisco: $126,325
  • Oakland: $123,662

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

Food Scientist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $113,188. While startup companies pay approximate $95,761.

Food Scientist III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $95,761
Growth Stage 51~500 $101,274
Established 501~5000 $109,305
Enterprise 5000+ $113,188

Food Scientist III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food Scientist III 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 MFG Nondurable or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Scientist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Food Scientist III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable$131,642$63.030%
Biotechnology$121,516$58.020%
Chemicals$111,389$54.010%

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

Understanding how a Food Scientist III'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
$90,374
Average $101,263/year
$111,316
$7,531
Average $8,439/month
$9,276
$1,738
Average $1,947/week
$2,141
$43
Average $49/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $111,316 $9,276 $2,141 $54
Average $101,263 $8,439 $1,947 $49
25th Percentile $90,374 $7,531 $1,738 $43

Food Scientist III Salary Growth & Career Path

Food Scientist III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Food Scientist III, 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 IV $133,743 32%
Bioinformatics Analyst IV $128,194 27%
Biopharma Process Development Scientist IV $118,792 17%
Food Scientist IV $128,783 27%

Most common benefits for Food Scientist III

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

Common company salaries for Food Scientist III

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

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FAQ about Food Scientist III

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

A Food Scientist III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Food Scientist III is $127,723.

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

The highest pay for Food Scientist III is $120,469.

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

The lowest pay for Food Scientist III is $80,460.

4. What are the responsibilities of Food Scientist III?

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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

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

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for Food Scientist III 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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