Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area earn a median of $83,140 a year ($39.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,990 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 12% lower than the California statewide median of $93,950. There are 0.11 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| 25th percentile | $64,840 | $31.17 |
| Median | $83,140 | $39.97 |
| 75th percentile | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| Average (mean) | $89,910 | $43.23 |
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 | $6,928.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,464.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,197.69 |
| Weekly | $1,598.85 |
| Hourly | $39.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,140 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 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $91,060 | 550 |
| 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 |
| 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 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,910 | $62.46 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| Conservation Scientist | $80,150 | $38.53 |
| Microbiologist | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $96,480 | $46.38 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,960 | $56.23 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $107,220 | $51.55 |
| Chemist | $82,960 | $39.89 |
| School Psychologist | $129,610 | $62.31 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $110,260 | $53.01 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $110,520 | $53.14 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $59,590 | $28.65 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, 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 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area is $83,140 a year, or $39.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area earn at least $149,990 a year. The top 25% earn $112,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,010 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $64,840 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
About 40 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.