Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median of $91,060 a year ($43.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,480 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 3% lower than the California statewide median of $93,950. There are 0.09 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| 25th percentile | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| Median | $91,060 | $43.78 |
| 75th percentile | $117,340 | $56.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,480 | $68.02 |
| Average (mean) | $96,580 | $46.43 |
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 | $7,588.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,794.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,502.31 |
| Weekly | $1,751.15 |
| Hourly | $43.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $91,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $110,810 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,930 | 380 |
| Merced, CA | $96,430 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $93,750 | 110 |
| Salinas, CA | $90,080 | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $90,040 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $89,050 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $88,010 | 110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $85,930 | 80 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $85,610 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $85,360 | 170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $83,140 | 40 |
| Modesto, CA | $80,960 | 80 |
| Napa, CA | $80,320 | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,900 | 50 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $66,120 | 30 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $134,890 | $64.85 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,380 | $46.34 |
| Microbiologist | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,700 | $63.32 |
| Epidemiologist | $105,400 | $50.68 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $104,740 | $50.36 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $82,490 | $39.66 |
| Forester | $107,690 | $51.77 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,490 | $40.14 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,250 | $47.72 |
| Chemist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| School Psychologist | $122,390 | $58.84 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $91,060 a year, or $43.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn at least $141,480 a year. The top 25% earn $117,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,920 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $72,760 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
About 550 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.