Food Science Technician salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Food Science Technicians in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $72,950 a year ($35.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,950 for the top 10%. That is 40% higher than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 12% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $65,360. There are 0.05 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $70,550, close to the median.
Pay range for food science technicians in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,930 | $27.85 |
| 25th percentile | $71,830 | $34.54 |
| Median | $72,950 | $35.07 |
| 75th percentile | $72,950 | $35.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,950 | $35.07 |
| Average (mean) | $70,550 | $33.92 |
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 | $6,079.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,039.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,805.77 |
| Weekly | $1,402.88 |
| Hourly | $35.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $72,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| Biological Technician | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| Nuclear Technician | $114,910 | $55.24 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,920 | $43.23 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $107,910 | $51.88 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,010 | $43.76 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,600 | $37.79 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,760 | $39.79 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $117,640 | $56.56 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $90,020 | $43.28 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $72,950 a year, or $35.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $72,950 a year. The top 25% earn $72,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,930 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $71,830 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 40 food science technicians are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.