Food Science Technician salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Food Science Technicians in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $43,710 a year ($21.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,050 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 7% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $46,810. There are 0.35 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| 25th percentile | $43,710 | $21.01 |
| Median | $43,710 | $21.01 |
| 75th percentile | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Average (mean) | $46,460 | $22.34 |
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 | $3,642.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,821.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,681.15 |
| Weekly | $840.58 |
| Hourly | $21.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $55,090 | 50 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $61,100 | $29.37 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $43,710 a year, or $21.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $49,050 a year. The top 25% earn $47,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,120 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $43,710 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 30 food science technicians are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.