Food Science Technician salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Food Science Technicians in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $52,970 a year ($25.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,900 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 9% lower than the Florida statewide median of $58,500. There are 0.14 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| 25th percentile | $48,810 | $23.47 |
| Median | $52,970 | $25.46 |
| 75th percentile | $58,500 | $28.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,900 | $37.94 |
| Average (mean) | $57,000 | $27.40 |
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 | $4,414.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,207.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,037.31 |
| Weekly | $1,018.65 |
| Hourly | $25.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, FL | $83,030 | 50 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $50,890 | 50 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $49,610 | 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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,670 | $27.72 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,430 | $23.76 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $70,400 | $33.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| School Psychologist | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $79,370 | $38.16 |
| Chemist | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $87,740 | $42.18 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $50,000 | $24.04 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $52,970 a year, or $25.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $78,900 a year. The top 25% earn $58,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,300 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $48,810 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 40 food science technicians are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.