SOC 19-1012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Scientists and Technologists — Salinas
Salinas, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $90,080 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $88,720.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $90,080 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $88,720. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $71,460 and $120,730. The lowest tenth earn under $51,920, while the highest tenth earn more than $132,420.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.2 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $110,810. Of the 369 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 96th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,920 | −41.5% |
| 25th | $71,460 | −19.5% |
| Median (50th) | $90,080 | +1.5% |
| 75th | $120,730 | +36.1% |
| 90th | $132,420 | +49.3% |
| Mean | $93,080 | +4.9% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $110,810 | 50 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $98,930 | 380 | |
| 3 | Merced | $96,430 | 40 | |
| 4 | Fresno | $93,750 | 110 | |
| 5 | Los Angeles | $91,060 | 550 | |
| 6 | Stockton | $90,040 | 60 | |
| 7 | Visalia | $89,050 | 60 | |
| 8 | Sacramento | $88,010 | 110 | |
| 9 | San Diego | $85,930 | 80 | |
| 10 | Santa Rosa | $85,610 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Salinas run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $90,080 buys what $81,373 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 8.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$90,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$81,373US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $90,080 a year, 1.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $51,920 to $132,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $110,810.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Salinas, CA?
The median annual wage is $90,080, or $43.31 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 $88,720, so pay in Salinas, CA is 1.5% 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 Salinas, CA earns more than $132,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $51,920 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 San Jose, at $110,810 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in Salinas, CA. 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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