Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Pennsylvania
Food Scientists and Technologists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $83,380 a year ($40.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,730 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pennsylvania ranks 24th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.07 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $86,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,460 | $26.18 |
| 25th percentile | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Median | $83,380 | $40.09 |
| 75th percentile | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,730 | $58.04 |
| Average (mean) | $86,640 | $41.66 |
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 | $6,948.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,474.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,206.92 |
| Weekly | $1,603.46 |
| Hourly | $40.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $96,210 | 230 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $92,690 | 40 |
| Lancaster, PA | $86,320 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $75,980 | 50 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,090 | $64.47 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,780 | $48.45 |
| Conservation Scientist | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Microbiologist | $84,650 | $40.70 |
| Epidemiologist | $87,860 | $42.24 |
| Forester | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $70,550 | $33.92 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,660 | $37.34 |
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $44.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Pennsylvania is $83,380 a year, or $40.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Pennsylvania earn at least $120,730 a year. The top 25% earn $101,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,460 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $64,460 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Pennsylvania?
About 400 food scientists and technologists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.