Associate Food Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Food Scientist make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Food Scientist in the United States is $68,973 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,547
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,690 to $75,031
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,880
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View as table View as graph 25% $63,690 10% $58,880 90% $80,547 75% $75,031 $68,973 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Associate Food Scientist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $75,031 $6,253 $1,443 $36
Average $68,973 $5,748 $1,326 $33
25th Percentile $63,690 $5,307 $1,225 $31
Check out Associate Food Scientist Job Openings in the United States
Associate Scientist

Forge Biologics - Columbus, OH

Associate Scientist Process Development Downstream

Forge Biologics - Columbus, OH

Food Service Associate

inSync Staffing - Columbus, OH

Food Consumables Team Associate

Walmart Stores - Columbus, OH

Search More Associate Food Scientist Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Associate Food Scientist Salaries

An Associate Food 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.

How Do Associate Food Scientist 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 Associate Food Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $76,366.
  • California: $76,077.
  • Massachusetts: $75,063.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Food Scientists

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: $86,995
  • San Francisco: $86,043
  • Oakland: $84,229

What Skills Can Increase an Associate Food Scientist'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.84%
New Product Development 2.25%
Technical Support 1.57%
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 an Associate Food Scientist'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
$87,595
27%
Business Acumen
$86,216
25%
Interpersonal Communication
$85,526
24%
Manufacturing Processes
$80,008
16%
Process Development
$79,318
15%
Chemistry
$79,318
15%
Get Latest Data

Associate Food Scientist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Food Scientist 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, Associate Food Scientist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Food Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Food Scientist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$89,664$43.030%
MFG Durable$82,767$40.020%
Chemicals$75,870$36.010%

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

Understanding how an Associate Food 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Associate Food Scientist

Salaries for an Associate Food Scientist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $77,411 in 2023 to around $76,976 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Associate Food Scientist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Associate Food Scientist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$77,411
2024
$77,729
2025
$76,976
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $77,411
2024 $77,729
2025 $76,976
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Associate Food Scientist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Associate Food Scientist

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

Find Your Next Associate Food Scientist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Food Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Ohio Department of Education

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio Department of Education | Columbus, OH

    Food Service Associate. We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Food Service Associate to join our team. In this role, you will play a vital part in de... more

    3 Days Ago

  • RI International

    Columbus, OH

    RI International | Columbus, OH

    Food Service Associate. Change Lives With Recovery Innovations. Our mission is to empower people on their journey to recovery, helping them achieve their g... more

    6 Days Ago

  • SSA Group, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    SSA Group, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Food Service Associate. SSA Group works with zoos, aquariums, museums, and other cultural attractions on integrating dining, retail, admissions and more. W... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    20 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    22 Days Ago

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FAQ about Associate Food Scientist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Associate Food Scientist?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Food Scientist 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.)

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