As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Technologist in Illinois is $71,935 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a Food Technologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Food Technologist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $78,253 | $6,521 | $1,505 | $38 |
| Average | $71,935 | $5,995 | $1,383 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,419 | $5,535 | $1,277 | $32 |
Smithfield Foods - Monmouth, IL
Roundup Memorial Healthcare - ROUNDUP, MT
Focus Staff - KEENE, NH
Pacific Sports and Spine - EUGENE, OR
A Food Technologist'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.
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 Technologists. 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 Food Technologist 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 Technologist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Technologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $93,515 | $45.0 | 30% |
| MFG Durable | $86,322 | $42.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $79,128 | $38.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Food Technologist'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 | $78,253 | $6,521 | $1,505 | $38 |
| Average | $71,935 | $5,995 | $1,383 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,419 | $5,535 | $1,277 | $32 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Food Technologist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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