Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$70,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $78,850
State Rank
#28 of 46
200 employed here

How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make in Pennsylvania?

Soil and Plant Scientists working in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $70,550 per year, or about $33.92 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $78,850 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $46,750 while the top 10% make $124,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,880 and $100,090 a year.

Soil and Plant Scientists salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,750$22.48
25th percentile (early career)$53,880$25.90
50th percentile (median)$70,550$33.92
75th percentile (experienced)$100,090$48.12
90th percentile (top earners)$124,560$59.88

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 28th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($70,550) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Pennsylvania is $70,550 per year, or about $33.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,750 at the entry level to $124,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Soil and Plant Scientists about 11% less than the national median of $78,850. Pennsylvania ranks 28th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Soil and Plant Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $70,550 a year. About 200 Soil and Plant Scientists are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.