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Occupation · SOC 19-1012

Food Scientists and Technologists

There are 13,060 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $88,720 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
13,060
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$88,720
Median pay a year
Middle half: $68,810–$116,650
1,000
Annual openings
10-year change: +6.2%
447
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+27.7% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 63 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $104,200 · LCA filings 54730$104,20054
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $100,390 · LCA filings 41610$100,39041
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $91,060 · LCA filings 23550$91,06023
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $101,760 · LCA filings 17440$101,76017
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $93,670 · LCA filings 13410$93,67013
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $98,930 · LCA filings 22380$98,93022
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $103,580 · LCA filings 7370$103,5807
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $107,970 · LCA filings 11320$107,97011
St. Louis, MO–ILMedian pay $108,200 · LCA filings 10270$108,20010
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $96,210 · LCA filings 11230$96,21011

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 130 · LCA filings 2$113,3501302
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 3$110,810503
St. Louis, MO–ILEmployment 270 · LCA filings 10$108,20027010
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployment 320 · LCA filings 11$107,97032011
Ann Arbor, MIEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$105,420400

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 38 · Employment 7305438730
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 29 · Employment 6104129610
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 19 · Employment 5502319550
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 14 · Employment 3802214380
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployers with LCA filings 10 · Employment 4401710440

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $90,542 · Level III $109,990 · Level IV $129,459$71,074$90,542$109,990$129,459
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $88,795 · Level III $107,890 · Level IV $126,963$69,722$88,795$107,890$126,963
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $81,058 · Level III $96,429 · Level IV $111,800$65,686$81,058$96,429$111,800
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $92,602 · Level III $109,782 · Level IV $126,984$75,400$92,602$109,782$126,984
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $78,645 · Level III $97,302 · Level IV $115,939$60,008$78,645$97,302$115,939
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $96,346 · Level III $110,448 · Level IV $124,550$82,243$96,346$110,448$124,550
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $100,506 · Level III $120,016 · Level IV $139,506$81,016$100,506$120,016$139,506
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $76,586 · Level III $104,520 · Level IV $132,434$48,672$76,586$104,520$132,434
St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $88,358 · Level III $107,349 · Level IV $126,318$69,389$88,358$107,349$126,318
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $82,347 · Level III $98,758 · Level IV $115,170$65,936$82,347$98,758$115,170

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Food Science and TechnologyCIP 01.10Varies by program503Varies by program
ChemistryCIP 40.05STEM OPT · up to 36 months2,744STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Food Scientists and Technologists in every metro area

All 63 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Science

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology