Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Food Scientists and Technologists salary grow from entry-level to senior in South Dakota? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
251% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • South Dakota salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Food Scientists and Technologists in South Dakota spans from $41,990 at entry-level to $147,530 at senior level — a difference of $105,540 per year.
Senior Food Scientists and Technologistss in South Dakota earn $105,540 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Food Scientists and Technologists salary increases with experience in South Dakota, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $41,990 | $3,499 | $20.19 |
| Early Career | P25 | $59,650 | $4,971 | $28.68 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $71,330 | $5,944 | $34.29 |
| Experienced | P75 | $137,250 | $11,438 | $65.99 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $147,530 | $12,294 | $70.93 |
Food Scientists and Technologists in South Dakota offers exceptional career salary growth. Professionals who advance from entry-level to senior can expect their salary to more than triple — from $41,990 to $147,530. This 251% growth potential makes it one of the highest-growth occupations in terms of pay progression in the state. Investing in skills development and certifications can accelerate this trajectory.
Where does South Dakota rank for Food Scientists and Technologists senior-level salaries? Compare South Dakota's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $41,990 per year, or $3,499 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $59,650. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Food Scientists and Technologistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $147,530 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $137,250. This represents a career premium of 251% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Food Scientists and Technologistss is 251%. Entry-level professionals start at $41,990, while senior-level can earn up to $147,530 — a difference of $105,540 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Food Scientists and Technologistss is South Dakota, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $147,530 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
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Salary percentile data for South Dakota from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within South Dakota.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS