South Dakota Median
$73,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $78,850
State Rank
#25 of 46
480 employed here
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make in South Dakota?
Soil and Plant Scientists in South Dakota take home a median of $73,590 annually — roughly $35.38 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $78,850.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $51,980 while the top 10% make $120,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,180 and $93,640 a year.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,980 | $24.99 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,180 | $28.93 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $73,590 | $35.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $93,640 | $45.02 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,970 | $58.16 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 25th 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 $79,610Illinois $79,490South Carolina $78,850Maine $78,250New York $77,800Nebraska $77,500North Carolina $76,330Missouri $76,080Colorado $75,430Montana $73,920Virginia $73,920Mississippi $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 South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($73,590) 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 South Dakota?
The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in South Dakota is $73,590 per year, or about $35.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,980 at the entry level to $120,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Soil and Plant Scientists about 7% less than the national median of $78,850. South Dakota ranks 25th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Soil and Plant Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $73,590 a year. About 480 Soil and Plant Scientists are employed in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.