Illinois Median
$79,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $78,850
State Rank
#15 of 46
820 employed here
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make in Illinois?
Soil and Plant Scientists in Illinois take home a median of $79,490 annually — roughly $38.22 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $78,850.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $48,160 while the top 10% make $141,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,690 and $107,280 a year.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,160 | $23.15 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,690 | $30.14 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,490 | $38.22 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $107,280 | $51.58 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,510 | $68.03 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 15th 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 $91,970California $91,930Oregon $85,150Maryland $85,020Hawaii $84,390Arizona $83,840Indiana $80,030Washington $79,970Minnesota $79,610South 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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($79,490) 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 Illinois?
The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Illinois is $79,490 per year, or about $38.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,160 at the entry level to $141,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Soil and Plant Scientists about 1% more than the national median of $78,850. Illinois ranks 15th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Soil and Plant Scientists?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,490 a year. About 820 Soil and Plant Scientists are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.