Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Arkansas
Food Scientists and Technologists in Arkansas earn a median of $84,330 a year ($40.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,790 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $88,720. Arkansas ranks 23rd of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.24 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,120 | $23.61 |
| 25th percentile | $62,410 | $30.00 |
| Median | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| 75th percentile | $133,450 | $64.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,790 | $79.71 |
| Average (mean) | $98,310 | $47.27 |
Half of food scientists and technologists 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 | $7,027.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,513.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,243.46 |
| Weekly | $1,621.73 |
| Hourly | $40.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,330 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 Scientists and Technologists salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $103,300 | 190 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $94,770 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for food scientists and technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | $108,660 |
| Missouri | $105,930 |
| New Jersey | $104,340 |
| Massachusetts | $103,580 |
| Florida | $101,160 |
| Colorado | $99,580 |
| Minnesota | $99,280 |
| Kentucky | $98,710 |
| Alabama | $97,480 |
| Washington | $94,990 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $72,530 | $34.87 |
| Microbiologist | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Forester | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $82,390 | $39.61 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Chemical Technician | $45,230 | $21.74 |
| School Psychologist | $64,030 | $30.78 |
| Biological Technician | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| Chemist | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,310 | $28.52 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1012. 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 scientists and technologists make in Arkansas?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Arkansas is $84,330 a year, or $40.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Arkansas earn at least $165,790 a year. The top 25% earn $133,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,120 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $62,410 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Arkansas?
About 310 food scientists and technologists are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.