Food Scientists and Technologists salary in South Carolina
Food Scientists and Technologists in South Carolina earn a median of $108,660 a year ($52.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,900 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $88,720. South Carolina ranks 1st of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $111,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,140 | $19.78 |
| 25th percentile | $70,310 | $33.80 |
| Median | $108,660 | $52.24 |
| 75th percentile | $152,250 | $73.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,900 | $78.80 |
| Average (mean) | $111,910 | $53.80 |
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 | $9,055 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,527.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,179.23 |
| Weekly | $2,089.62 |
| Hourly | $52.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $108,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $87,270 | 40 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| Forester | $86,780 | $41.72 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Microbiologist | $64,740 | $31.13 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $109,080 | $52.44 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,660 | $40.70 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $169,440 | $81.46 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Chemist | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,490 | $52.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in South Carolina is $108,660 a year, or $52.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in South Carolina earn at least $163,900 a year. The top 25% earn $152,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,140 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $70,310 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in South Carolina?
About 90 food scientists and technologists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.