How much does a soil and plant scientist make?
The median soil and plant scientist in the United States earns $78,850 per year, about $37.91 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all soil and plant scientists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-1013.
Soil and plant scientist salary range
Pay for soil and plant scientists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,680 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $138,120. The average (mean) wage of $87,720 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,680 | $23.41 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $61,660 | $29.65 | |
| Median (50th) | $78,850 | $37.91 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $103,740 | $49.88 | |
| 90th percentile | $138,120 | $66.40 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for soil and plant scientists (SOC 19-1013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Soil and plant scientist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Soil and plant scientists earn the most in District of Columbia at $107,140 a year, and the least in Wyoming at $55,680. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $107,140 | 60 |
| Florida | $103,240 | 270 |
| Alaska | $100,320 | 30 |
| Iowa | $96,310 | 960 |
| Idaho | $95,150 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $91,970 | 130 |
| California | $91,930 | 1,440 |
| Oregon | $85,150 | 620 |
| Maryland | $85,020 | 200 |
| Hawaii | $84,390 | 60 |
| Arizona | $83,840 | 270 |
| Indiana | $80,030 | 440 |
| Washington | $79,970 | 520 |
| Minnesota | $79,610 | 750 |
| Illinois | $79,490 | 820 |
| South Carolina | $78,850 | 90 |
| Maine | $78,250 | 30 |
| New York | $77,800 | 260 |
| Nebraska | $77,500 | 640 |
| North Carolina | $76,330 | 570 |
| Missouri | $76,080 | 220 |
| Colorado | $75,430 | 460 |
| Montana | $73,920 | 230 |
| Virginia | $73,920 | 140 |
| South Dakota | $73,590 | 480 |
| Mississippi | $72,690 | 100 |
| Nevada | $71,450 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,550 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $69,880 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $69,480 | 90 |
| Connecticut | $67,630 | 200 |
| Kentucky | $67,340 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $66,200 | 680 |
| Kansas | $65,670 | 380 |
| Michigan | $65,390 | 570 |
| North Dakota | $65,320 | 410 |
| Delaware | $65,310 | 60 |
| Georgia | $65,170 | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $63,910 | 100 |
| Alabama | $63,010 | 110 |
| Tennessee | $61,950 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $60,200 | 170 |
| Utah | $59,900 | 90 |
| Vermont | $58,220 | N/A |
| Ohio | $56,820 | 320 |
| Wyoming | $55,680 | 50 |
State median wages for soil and plant scientists (SOC 19-1013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for soil and plant scientists
The BLS projects employment of soil and plant scientists to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 19,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 21,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,400 openings a year for soil and plant scientists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a soil and plant scientist
The typical entry-level education for soil and plant scientists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a soil and plant scientist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $107,140) and the lowest (Wyoming, $55,680) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 15,730 people work as soil and plant scientists in the United States. At $78,850 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Soil and plant scientist salary FAQ
How much does a soil and plant scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a soil and plant scientist is $37.91. The middle half of soil and plant scientists earn between $29.65 and $49.88 per hour.
What is the highest soil and plant scientist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of soil and plant scientists earn more than $138,120 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a soil and plant scientist make a year?
The median annual salary for a soil and plant scientist is $78,850. The average (mean) wage of $87,720 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a soil and plant scientist a well paid job?
At $78,850 a year, a soil and plant scientist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 15,730 people work as soil and plant scientists in the United States.
Which state pays soil and plant scientists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for soil and plant scientists at $107,140 a year. Florida ($103,240) and Alaska ($100,320) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a soil and plant scientist a good career?
Employment of soil and plant scientists is projected to grow 6.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a soil and plant scientist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for soil and plant scientists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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