SOC 19-4013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Science Technicians — Allentown
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Allentown, PA comes to $60,320 a year, ahead of the national median of $52,130 by 15.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Allentown, PA comes to $60,320 a year, ahead of the national median of $52,130 by 15.7%. Pay ranges from under $42,670 at the tenth percentile to more than $60,710 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $42,680 to $60,710.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.14 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Scranton records the highest median at $54,570. Of the 516 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 253rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,670 | −18.1% |
| 25th | $42,680 | −18.1% |
| Median (50th) | $60,320 | +15.7% |
| 75th | $60,710 | +16.5% |
| 90th | $60,710 | +16.5% |
| Mean | $52,560 | +0.8% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scranton | $54,570 | 50 | |
| 2 | Lancaster | $53,130 | 70 | |
| 3 | Harrisburg | $50,310 | 40 | |
| 4 | Pittsburgh | $48,970 | 30 | |
| 5 | Philadelphia | $48,060 | 250 | |
| 6 | York | $44,720 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Allentown run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $60,320 goes as far as $61,803 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,320as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,803US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,320 a year, 15.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $42,670 to $60,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Scranton, at $54,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Science Technicians in Allentown, PA?
The median annual wage is $60,320, or $29.00 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $52,130, so pay in Allentown, PA is 15.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Allentown, PA earns more than $60,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $42,670 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Scranton, at $54,570 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Allentown, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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