Food Science Technician salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Food Science Technicians in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $79,850 a year ($38.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,850 for the top 10%. That is 53% higher than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 29% higher than the Washington statewide median of $62,070. There are 0.20 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,940, close to the median.
Pay range for food science technicians in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 25th percentile | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Median | $79,850 | $38.39 |
| 75th percentile | $79,850 | $38.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,850 | $38.39 |
| Average (mean) | $72,940 | $35.07 |
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 | $6,654.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,327.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,071.15 |
| Weekly | $1,535.58 |
| Hourly | $38.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $51,570 | 280 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $48,550 | 90 |
| Yakima, WA | $47,590 | 60 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,510 | $32.94 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $95,460 | $45.90 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,610 | $27.22 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
| Chemist | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $105,140 | $50.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $79,850 a year, or $38.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $79,850 a year. The top 25% earn $79,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,000 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $62,070 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 420 food science technicians are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.