Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Colorado (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Soil and Plant Scientists in Colorado, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Colorado Median
$75,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $78,850
State Rank
#22 of 46
460 employed here

How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make in Colorado?

Soil and Plant Scientists working in Colorado earn a median salary of $75,430 per year, or about $36.26 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $78,850 for this occupation.

Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $52,420 while the top 10% make $288,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,930 and $105,410 a year.

Soil and Plant Scientists salary range in Colorado

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,420$25.20
25th percentile (early career)$61,930$29.77
50th percentile (median)$75,430$36.26
75th percentile (experienced)$105,410$50.68
90th percentile (top earners)$288,300$138.61

How Colorado compares

Colorado ranks 22nd out of 46 states and territories for Soil and Plant Scientists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$107,140
2Florida$103,240
3Alaska$100,320
4Iowa$96,310
5Idaho$95,150

Working as Soil and Plant Scientists in Colorado

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 Colorado pay ($75,430) 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 Colorado?
The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Colorado is $75,430 per year, or about $36.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,420 at the entry level to $288,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Soil and Plant Scientists about 4% less than the national median of $78,850. Colorado ranks 22nd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Soil and Plant Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $75,430 a year. About 460 Soil and Plant Scientists are employed in Colorado. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), 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.