Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$76,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.70
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $78,850
State Rank
#20 of 46
570 employed here

How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make in North Carolina?

Soil and Plant Scientists working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $76,330 per year, or about $36.70 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $78,850 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $47,430 while the top 10% make $136,830 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,200 and $102,890 a year.

Soil and Plant Scientists salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,430$22.80
25th percentile (early career)$59,200$28.46
50th percentile (median)$76,330$36.70
75th percentile (experienced)$102,890$49.47
90th percentile (top earners)$136,830$65.78

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 20th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($76,330) 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 North Carolina?
The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in North Carolina is $76,330 per year, or about $36.70 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,430 at the entry level to $136,830 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Soil and Plant Scientists about 3% less than the national median of $78,850. North Carolina ranks 20th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Soil and Plant Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $76,330 a year. About 570 Soil and Plant Scientists are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.