Food Scientist.
Billings.
$70,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$53,000 to $92,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Billings is 11% cheaper than the national average. For Food Scientists, that shakes out to a median of $70,000, with the full range spanning $53,000 to $92,000. Sector specialization, company size, and advanced degrees create the widest salary bands. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $63,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$46,000
to $56,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$60,000
to $74,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$77,000
to $91,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$88,000
to $109,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $16,000 to the total package.
Base
$70,000
Equity
$9,000
Bonus
$6,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $86,000
How Billings compares
Billings, MT
$70,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$82,000
Billings is $12,000 below
Food Scientist salary by city
Salary by role in Billings
What you should know
The Food Scientist landscape in Billings is not what most salary sites will tell you. Billings is Montana's largest city and economic hub, driven by energy, agriculture, and healthcare. The city serves as a regional center for the Northern Plains. Remote work has brought a wave of tech professionals seeking Montana's quality of life, gradually diversifying the local job market. Sector specialization, company size, and advanced degrees create the widest salary bands. Scientists in R&D at major CPG companies earn more than those in quality assurance or regulatory roles. Expertise in clean-label reformulation, plant-based proteins, or fermentation science commands above-market premiums.
Associate food scientists with a bachelor's degree start at $52,000 to $62,000. Mid-level scientists with 5 to 8 years of experience earn $75,000 to $90,000. Senior scientists and R&D managers reach $95,000 to $120,000, while VP of R&D roles exceed $140,000. In Billings, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 11% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Large CPG companies offer comprehensive packages including annual bonuses of 8 to 15%, 401(k) matching, product discounts, and continuing education stipends. Some R&D-focused roles include patent bonuses of $1,000 to $5,000 per filing. And on the tax side: montana has a top income tax rate of 5.9% but no state sales tax. Billings has no city income tax. The no sales tax benefit helps offset the state income tax. When someone quotes you $70,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work arrangements. Billings employers are increasingly open to remote and hybrid setups to attract talent from larger metros. The range for Food Scientists in Billings runs from $53,000 to $92,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Data Analyst in Billings earns $69,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Billings is Chief AI Officer at $287,000
Common questions.
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