Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $100,000 a year ($48.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,520 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 5% higher than the Washington statewide median of $94,990. There are 0.06 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $104,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,380 | $28.55 |
| 25th percentile | $79,450 | $38.20 |
| Median | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| 75th percentile | $121,800 | $58.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,520 | $78.61 |
| Average (mean) | $104,290 | $50.14 |
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 | $8,333.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,166.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,846.15 |
| Weekly | $1,923.08 |
| Hourly | $48.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,050 | 150 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $96,450 | $46.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $123,970 | $59.60 |
| Conservation Scientist | $82,380 | $39.61 |
| Forester | $86,310 | $41.50 |
| Microbiologist | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $100,000 a year, or $48.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $163,520 a year. The top 25% earn $121,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,380 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $79,450 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 120 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.