Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $67,790 a year ($32.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,550 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 12% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $76,940. There are 0.07 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,060 | $22.15 |
| 25th percentile | $61,380 | $29.51 |
| Median | $67,790 | $32.59 |
| 75th percentile | $85,100 | $40.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,550 | $52.19 |
| Average (mean) | $78,560 | $37.77 |
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 | $5,649.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,824.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,607.31 |
| Weekly | $1,303.65 |
| Hourly | $32.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,790 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $105,420 | 40 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $78,610 | 70 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $63,030 | 40 |
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 |
See Food Scientists and Technologists pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Conservation Scientist | $57,110 | $27.46 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $83,370 | $40.08 |
| Microbiologist | $73,690 | $35.43 |
| Epidemiologist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,010 | $37.98 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $104,160 | $50.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemist | $85,770 | $41.23 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| School Psychologist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $67,790 a year, or $32.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $108,550 a year. The top 25% earn $85,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,060 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $61,380 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 130 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.