California Median
$91,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$44.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $78,850
State Rank
#7 of 46
1,440 employed here
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make in California?
Soil and Plant Scientists in California take home a median of $91,930 annually — roughly $44.20 an hour — which runs 17% above the national median of $78,850.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $49,350 while the top 10% make $154,830 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,270 and $120,310 a year.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,350 | $23.73 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $73,270 | $35.23 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $91,930 | $44.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $120,310 | $57.84 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,830 | $74.44 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 46 states and territories for Soil and Plant Scientists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in other states
District of Columbia $107,140Florida $103,240Alaska $100,320Iowa $96,310Idaho $95,150New Jersey $91,970Oregon $85,150Maryland $85,020Hawaii $84,390Arizona $83,840Indiana $80,030Washington $79,970Minnesota $79,610Illinois $79,490South Carolina $78,850Maine $78,250New York $77,800Nebraska $77,500North Carolina $76,330Missouri $76,080Colorado $75,430Montana $73,920Virginia $73,920South Dakota $73,590Mississippi $72,690Nevada $71,450Pennsylvania $70,550Massachusetts $69,880New Mexico $69,480Connecticut $67,630Kentucky $67,340Wisconsin $66,200Kansas $65,670Michigan $65,390North Dakota $65,320Delaware $65,310Georgia $65,170Oklahoma $63,910Alabama $63,010Tennessee $61,950Louisiana $60,200Utah $59,900Vermont $58,220Ohio $56,820Wyoming $55,680
Working as Soil and Plant Scientists in California
Nationally, about 16,000 people work as Soil and Plant Scientists in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($91,930) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make in California?
The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in California is $91,930 per year, or about $44.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,350 at the entry level to $154,830 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Soil and Plant Scientists about 17% more than the national median of $78,850. California ranks 7th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Soil and Plant Scientists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $91,930 a year. About 1,440 Soil and Plant Scientists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Soil and Plant Scientists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.