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Food Science Technicians Salary in Chico, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Food Science Technicians in Chico, CA have a median annual salary of $51,390, with 40 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $42,600 at the 10th percentile to $74,950 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$51,390

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$24.71

Employment

40

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$42,600
10th
$48,130
25th
$51,390
Median
$62,490
75th
$74,950
90th

Local compared with national

Chico, CA

$51,390

Median annual · 2025

United States

$52,130

Median annual · 2025

The Chico, CA median is 1.4% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $740).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.8
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 3.5
  3. 3.WritingImportance 3.5
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 3.5
  5. 5.ScienceImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.3
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  8. 8.CoordinationImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.1
  10. 10.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.1
  11. 11.Active LearningImportance 3.0
  12. 12.InstructingImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Apache JMeter
  • Apache Struts
  • Database software
  • Graphical user interface GUI design software
  • Graphics software
  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • IBM WebSphere
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Visio

Common tasks

  • Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
  • Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
  • Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
  • Monitor and control temperature of products.
  • Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
  • Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
  • Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
  • Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.
  • Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
  • Train newly hired laboratory personnel.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Food Science Technicians salary in other locations

Other occupations in Chico, CA