Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $63,030 a year ($30.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,880 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 18% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $76,940. There are 0.17 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| 25th percentile | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Median | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| 75th percentile | $93,940 | $45.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,880 | $70.61 |
| Average (mean) | $84,070 | $40.42 |
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 | $5,252.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,626.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,424.23 |
| Weekly | $1,212.12 |
| Hourly | $30.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,030 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 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $67,790 | 130 |
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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Conservation Scientist | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| Microbiologist | $67,960 | $32.67 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $67,870 | $32.63 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $63,520 | $30.54 |
| Forester | $67,750 | $32.57 |
| Animal Scientist | $55,450 | $26.66 |
| Epidemiologist | $67,830 | $32.61 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,180 | $40.95 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,220 | $30.87 |
| Physicist | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,760 | $39.79 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $63,030 a year, or $30.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $146,880 a year. The top 25% earn $93,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,440 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $63,030 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 40 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.