SOC 19-1012 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro

Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Allentown, PA

The average salary for food scientists and technologists in Allentown, Pennsylvania is $85,520 a year ($41.12 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $75,980: half of the 50 people in this job in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 10% less than the U.S. average for this job ($95,360).

$85,520average per year

$41.12 / hourMedian $75,980Take-home ≈ $66,368

  • $42K10th
  • $64K25th
  • $76KMedian
  • $114K75th
  • $140K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

50people in this job
-10%vs U.S. average
#4 of 4Pennsylvania metros
100cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Food Scientists and Technologists pay range in Allentown

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $41,650 a year or less, while the top 10% make $139,840 or more. The middle half of food scientists and technologists in Allentown earn between $64,010 and $113,990.

  • $42K10th
  • $64K25th
  • $76KMedian
  • $114K75th
  • $140K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$85,520$7,127$41.12
Median$75,980$6,332$36.53
Entry level (25th percentile)$64,010$5,334$30.77
Experienced (75th percentile)$113,990$9,499$54.80

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Food Scientists and Technologists pay in Allentown vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.

Food scientists and technologists in Allentown earn about the same as the Pennsylvania average ($86,640) and 10% less than the U.S. average ($95,360). At the median the gap is -14% against the U.S. median of $88,720.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Allentown$85,520$75,980$41,650$139,84050
Pennsylvania$86,640$83,380$54,460$120,730400
United States$95,360$88,720$52,920$145,28013,060

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Food Scientists and Technologists salary after taxes in Allentown

On the average salary of $85,520, a single filer in Allentown takes home about $66,368 a year, or $5,531 a month and $2,553 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.

The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:

StatePer yearPer month
Working in PA$66,368$5,531
Working in NJ$65,736$5,478

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Pennsylvania paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Allentown a good place for food scientists and technologists? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Allentown area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.0), so the average $85,520 buys what about $85,547 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Allentown ($48,990). A typical home costs $363,989, or 4.3 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $85,520 is worth in another city

Food Scientists and Technologists salary in other Pennsylvania cities

Allentown ranks 4th of 4 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($98,920).

All Food Scientists and Technologists salaries in Pennsylvania

Highest-paying cities for food scientists and technologists

Boston, MA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($120,200).

Food Scientists and Technologists salary by city

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Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Allentown: questions

How much do food scientists and technologists make an hour in Allentown?

$41.12 an hour on average, and $36.53 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level food scientists and technologists salary in Allentown?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $41,650 a year and the 25th percentile is $64,010, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the food scientists and technologists take-home pay in Allentown?

About $66,368 a year ($5,531 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $85,520. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Do food scientists and technologists earn more in Allentown than elsewhere?

The average here is 10% less than the U.S. average for this job ($95,360).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1012; area Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ (10900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.3%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.51, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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