How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make?
The median pay for Soil and Plant Scientists in the United States is $78,850 per year — about $37.91 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $48,680, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $138,120.
That is $17,460 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Soil and Plant Scientists salary range by percentile
Half of all Soil and Plant Scientists earn between $61,660 and $103,740 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,680 | $23.40 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,660 | $29.64 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,850 | $37.91 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $103,740 | $49.88 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,120 | $66.40 |
Highest-paying states for Soil and Plant Scientists
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Soil and Plant Scientists pay at $107,140 a year, followed by Florida ($103,240) and Alaska ($100,320). At the other end, Wyoming posts the lowest median at $55,680 — a gap of $51,460 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $107,140 | $51.51 | +36% |
| 2 | Florida | $103,240 | $49.63 | +31% |
| 3 | Alaska | $100,320 | $48.23 | +27% |
| 4 | Iowa | $96,310 | $46.30 | +22% |
| 5 | Idaho | $95,150 | $45.75 | +21% |
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 46 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 16,000 people work as Soil and Plant Scientists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $87,720 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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