SOC 19-4013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Science Technicians — Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
The median wage for Food Science Technicians in Virginia Beach, VA is $72,950 per year, well above the national median of $52,130.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Science Technicians in Virginia Beach, VA is $72,950 per year, well above the national median of $52,130. The gap of 39.9% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Pay ranges from under $57,930 at the tenth percentile to more than $72,950 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $71,830 to $72,950.
Employment stands at 40, or 0.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 201st of 593 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,930 | +11.1% |
| 25th | $71,830 | +37.8% |
| Median (50th) | $72,950 | +39.9% |
| 75th | $72,950 | +39.9% |
| 90th | $72,950 | +39.9% |
| Mean | $70,550 | +35.3% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia Beach sit close to the national average, so $72,950 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$72,950as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,156US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $72,950 a year, 39.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $57,930 to $72,950 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Science Technicians in Virginia Beach, VA?
The median annual wage is $72,950, or $35.07 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 Virginia Beach, VA is 39.9% 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 Virginia Beach, VA earns more than $72,950 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $57,930 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Virginia Beach, VA. 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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