SOC 191013

Soil and Plant Scientists

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

National Median

$71,410

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$71,410

Entry Level (10th pct)

$45,320

Experienced (90th pct)

$131,440

Total Employed

16,600

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$45,320 - $57,950
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$57,950 - $98,110
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$98,110 - $131,440

Highest Paying Locations for Soil and Plant Scientists

Modesto, CA

$113,340

+58.7% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$105,260

+47.4% vs national

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$103,620

+45.1% vs national

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

$101,250

+41.8% vs national

District of Columbia

$100,820

+41.2% vs national

Soil and Plant Scientists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Modesto, CA	$113,340	30
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$105,260	70
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$103,620	220
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$101,250	130
District of Columbia	$100,820	60
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$100,370	40
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$99,890	N/A
Salinas, CA	$97,760	40
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$96,540	210
Twin Falls, ID	$95,570	50
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	$95,480	40
Boise City, ID	$95,100	N/A
Fresno, CA	$94,580	100
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$92,310	280
Idaho	$90,400	430
Salem, OR	$89,220	140
Maine	$88,300	60
Idaho Falls, ID	$88,300	40
Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area	$88,300	40
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$88,070	70
Connecticut	$88,040	170
New Haven, CT	$88,040	90
East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$87,540	60
Napa, CA	$87,070	80
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$86,180	160
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$86,120	240
New Jersey	$85,020	160
Arkansas	$84,510	N/A
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$84,180	40
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$82,490	40
Washington	$82,360	610
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$82,040	130
California	$80,960	1,710
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$80,910	40
St. Louis, MO-IL	$80,700	130
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$80,610	170
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$80,550	80
East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area	$79,900	30
Indiana	$79,820	520
Mississippi	$79,790	60
Oregon	$79,460	490
Ohio	$79,220	270
Corvallis, OR	$79,220	60
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$78,620	300
Florida	$77,970	290
Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area	$77,940	40
Missoula, MT	$77,860	30
Kansas nonmetropolitan area	$77,710	110
Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$77,680	N/A
Wyoming	$77,500	60

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Soil and Plant Scientists?

The national median annual salary for Soil and Plant Scientists is $71,410, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Soil and Plant Scientistss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Soil and Plant Scientistss is Modesto, CA, with a median salary of $113,340.

How much can an experienced Soil and Plant Scientists make?

Top-earning Soil and Plant Scientistss (90th percentile) make $131,440 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.