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Occupation · SOC 19-4013

Food Science Technicians

There are 14,600 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $52,130 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ScienceTypical education: Associate's degree
14,600
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$52,130
Median pay a year
Middle half: $46,020–$63,270
3,000
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.8%
1
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
One employer filed 100% of them

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 71 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $54,410 · LCA filings 0970$54,4100
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $60,020 · LCA filings 1580$60,0201
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $79,850 · LCA filings 0420$79,8500
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $50,900 · LCA filings 0390$50,9000
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $49,460 · LCA filings 0350$49,4600
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $60,980 · LCA filings 0310$60,9800
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INMedian pay $44,550 · LCA filings 0300$44,5500
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay $51,570 · LCA filings 0280$51,5700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $66,630 · LCA filings 0250$66,6300
Fresno, CAMedian pay $46,350 · LCA filings 0250$46,3500

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Columbus, OHEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$86,300400
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$84,320600
Jacksonville, FLEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$83,030500
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 420 · LCA filings 0$79,8504200
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WIEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$73,030600

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 1 · Employment 58011580

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
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $50,190 · Level III $56,826 · Level IV $63,482$43,534$50,190$56,826$63,482
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $52,083 · Level III $60,902 · Level IV $69,722$43,264$52,083$60,902$69,722
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $63,939 · Level III $72,862 · Level IV $81,765$55,037$63,939$72,862$81,765
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $49,421 · Level III $54,870 · Level IV $60,320$43,971$49,421$54,870$60,320
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $45,739 · Level III $51,251 · Level IV $56,763$40,227$45,739$51,251$56,763
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $55,827 · Level III $63,274 · Level IV $70,699$48,402$55,827$63,274$70,699
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INLevel II $43,514 · Level III $47,091 · Level IV $50,690$39,915$43,514$47,091$50,690
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $49,525 · Level III $54,059 · Level IV $58,614$44,970$49,525$54,059$58,614
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $59,966 · Level III $71,323 · Level IV $82,680$48,610$59,966$71,323$82,680
Fresno, CALevel II $45,843 · Level III $50,336 · Level IV $54,850$41,330$45,843$50,336$54,850

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
Agricultural and Food Products ProcessingCIP 01.04OPT · up to 12 months2OPT · up to 12 months
Biology, GeneralCIP 26.01STEM OPT · up to 36 months4,172STEM OPT · up to 36 months
ChemistryCIP 40.05STEM OPT · up to 36 months2,744STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Food Science Technicians in every metro area

All 71 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