Food Science Technician salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Food Science Technicians in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $50,310 a year ($24.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,820 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 5% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $48,060. There are 0.13 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| 25th percentile | $41,340 | $19.88 |
| Median | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| 75th percentile | $58,020 | $27.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Average (mean) | $50,500 | $24.28 |
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 | $4,192.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,096.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,935 |
| Weekly | $967.50 |
| Hourly | $24.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $60,320 | 80 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $54,570 | 50 |
| Lancaster, PA | $53,130 | 70 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $48,970 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $48,060 | 250 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $44,720 | 40 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Biological Technician | $51,320 | $24.67 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,820 | $30.69 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $50,450 | $24.25 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,160 | $29.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,410 | $40.58 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Economist | $80,010 | $38.47 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| Chemist | $73,670 | $35.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,860 | $40.80 |
| School Psychologist | $77,160 | $37.10 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $50,310 a year, or $24.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $58,820 a year. The top 25% earn $58,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,210 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $41,340 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 40 food science technicians are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.