Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Indiana
Food Scientists and Technologists in Indiana earn a median of $69,350 a year ($33.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,410 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $88,720. Indiana ranks 38th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.09 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| 25th percentile | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Median | $69,350 | $33.34 |
| 75th percentile | $92,060 | $44.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,410 | $52.12 |
| Average (mean) | $72,490 | $34.85 |
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 | $5,779.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,889.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,667.31 |
| Weekly | $1,333.65 |
| Hourly | $33.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary in cities in Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,390 | 610 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $90,210 | 130 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $74,150 | 30 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $69,970 | 70 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,570 | $31.04 |
| Epidemiologist | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Forester | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Microbiologist | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $54,670 | $26.28 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| Chemist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,150 | $28.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Indiana is $69,350 a year, or $33.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Indiana?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Indiana earn at least $108,410 a year. The top 25% earn $92,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,180 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $49,460 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Indiana?
About 300 food scientists and technologists are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.