Food Scientists and Technologists salary
in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Middle 50%
- $76,970–$130,910
- vs U.S. median
- +13%
- Metro rank
- #6 of 11
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro earn a median of $100,390 a year, based on BLS estimates for 610 jobs (May 2025). That is 13% above the U.S. median of $88,720 and 6% above the IL statewide median of $94,340. It ranks #6 of 11 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE610 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
Were you outpaid?
Your salary is ranked in your browser and never uploaded.
Employers filing for this job in Chicago
2 employers · DOL
Median of each employer’s DOL LCA filings (5+ filings) in this metro, FY2026 Q3. Visa-sponsored positions only, base pay.
| Employer | Median base | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Tate & Lyle Solutions USA | $104,685 | 6 |
| Kraft Foods Group Brands | $99,626 | 7 |
Turn your result into a raise plan.
Run the free check first for Food Scientists and Technologists. If you want to act on it, the Dossier turns your result into a target number (the 75th percentile for your job and metro), the employers that report paying more (where filing data exists), a raise or counter-offer script filled in with your numbers, and a one-page summary for your manager.
- ✓ Built from BLS and DOL data
- ✓ PDF generated in your browser
- ✓ 7-day money-back guarantee
RELATED JOBS IN CHICAGO
Questions
What is the average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Chicago?
The BLS median is $100,390 a year (May 2025). Half of the 610 jobs pay between $76,970 and $130,910. The 10th percentile is $65,810 and the 90th is $173,750.
Is Chicago a high-paying metro for Food Scientists and Technologists?
That is 13% above the U.S. median of $88,720 and 6% above the IL statewide median of $94,340. It ranks #6 of 11 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make an hour in Chicago?
About $48.26 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $100,390 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $37.00–$62.94 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Which employers pay Food Scientists and Technologists the most in Chicago?
Among employers with 5+ visa-sponsored filings here, the highest medians were Tate & Lyle Solutions USA ($104,685), Kraft Foods Group Brands ($99,626). These are base wages for sponsored positions, not all employees.
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.