Food Science Technician salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Food Science Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $66,630 a year ($32.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,390 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 10% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $60,820. There are 0.05 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $71,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| 25th percentile | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| Median | $66,630 | $32.04 |
| 75th percentile | $82,910 | $39.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,390 | $50.19 |
| Average (mean) | $71,440 | $34.35 |
Half of food science technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,552.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,776.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,562.69 |
| Weekly | $1,281.35 |
| Hourly | $32.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Science Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $84,320 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $66,230 | 100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,480 | 80 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $44,550 | 300 |
Highest-paying states for food science technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $65,360 |
| Kentucky | $64,770 |
| Washington | $62,070 |
| Vermont | $60,980 |
| Illinois | $60,820 |
| Missouri | $59,570 |
| Nevada | $59,070 |
| Colorado | $58,540 |
| Florida | $58,500 |
| Minnesota | $57,940 |
See Food Science Technician pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Biological Technician | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Nuclear Technician | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $112,790 | $54.23 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Agricultural Technician | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| School Psychologist | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Chemist | $90,920 | $43.71 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food science technician make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $66,630 a year, or $32.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $104,390 a year. The top 25% earn $82,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,860 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $51,220 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 250 food science technicians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.