Money · 1 of 5
What food scientists make
Median
$88,720
Bottom tenth
$52,920
Top tenth
$145,280
The national median is $88,720 a year, the bottom tenth earn $52,920 or less and the top tenth $145,280 or more, in the 2025 federal wage survey for food scientists and technologists. People running product development or food safety for a large manufacturer usually sit toward the top.