Iowa Median
$96,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $78,850
State Rank
#4 of 46
960 employed here
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make in Iowa?
Soil and Plant Scientists working in Iowa earn a median salary of $96,310 per year, or about $46.30 per hour. That is 22% above the national median of $78,850 for this occupation.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $56,270 while the top 10% make $170,820 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,170 and $136,360 a year.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,270 | $27.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $73,170 | $35.18 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,310 | $46.30 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $136,360 | $65.56 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,820 | $82.13 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 4th 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 $100,320Idaho $95,150New Jersey $91,970California $91,930Oregon $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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($96,310) 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 Iowa?
The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Iowa is $96,310 per year, or about $46.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,270 at the entry level to $170,820 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Soil and Plant Scientists about 22% more than the national median of $78,850. Iowa ranks 4th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Soil and Plant Scientists?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $96,310 a year. About 960 Soil and Plant Scientists are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.