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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Meat Scientist in California is $86,284 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
However, a Meat Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Meat Scientist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $94,089 | $7,841 | $1,809 | $45 |
| Average | $86,284 | $7,190 | $1,659 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,905 | $6,575 | $1,517 | $38 |
Giant Eagle - JEANNETTE, PA
Market District - WEXFORD, PA
Giant Eagle - CHARDON, OH
Giant Eagle - CANFIELD, OH
A Meat Scientist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Meat Scientist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Meat Scie... Level Meat Scientist | $87,821 |
| Informati... Level Meat Scientist | $103,268 |
| Informati... Level Meat Scientist | $134,584 |
| Informati... Level Meat Scientist | $157,288 |
| Informati... Level Meat Scientist | $182,210 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Meat Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Meat Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Meat Scientist positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Meat Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $103,541 | $50.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $99,227 | $48.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $94,913 | $46.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $94,913 | $46.0 | 10% |
| Internet | $94,913 | $46.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Meat Scientist'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $94,089 | $7,841 | $1,809 | $45 |
| Average | $86,284 | $7,190 | $1,659 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,905 | $6,575 | $1,517 | $38 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Meat Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Giant Eagle
PARMA, OH
Giant Eagle | PARMA, OH
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CHANTILLY, VA
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TIMES SQUARE, WA
Amazon | TIMES SQUARE, WA
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WEST SPRINGFIELD, VA
ManTech International | WEST SPRINGFIELD, VA
At ManTech, we are dedicated to providing advanced technology and solutions to secure our national security. We are seeking a Data Scientist who will lever... more
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Essentia Health
NORTH RIVER, ND
Essentia Health | NORTH RIVER, ND
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VIRGINIA, MN
Essentia Health | VIRGINIA, MN
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