Soil and Plant Scientist Salary
Soil and Plant Scientists earn a median $78,850 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What soil and plant scientists do
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.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.7% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 1,400
- Self-employed
- 4%
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. About 1,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Soil and Plant Scientist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,517
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,889
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,143
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$64,301
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,680 | $23.40 | $41,294 |
| 25th percentile | $61,660 | $29.64 | $51,724 |
| Median (50th) | $78,850 | $37.91 | $64,301 |
| 75th percentile | $103,740 | $49.88 | $81,811 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,120 | $66.40 | $105,671 |
Soil and Plant Scientist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $107,140 | +6.3% | $78,065 | $79,230 – $156,750 | 60 |
| Florida | $103,240 | +32.4% | $81,459 | $48,940 – $125,250 | 270 |
| Alaska | $100,320 | — | $79,405 | $73,690 – $167,160 | 30 |
| Iowa | $96,310 | +33.0% | $73,576 | $56,270 – $170,820 | 960 |
| Idaho | $95,150 | +5.3% | $71,833 | $58,440 – $167,960 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $91,970 | +8.2% | $69,862 | $51,420 – $128,920 | 130 |
| California | $91,930 | +13.5% | $67,988 | $49,350 – $154,830 | 1,440 |
| Oregon | $85,150 | +7.2% | $62,112 | $63,960 – $117,000 | 620 |
| Maryland | $85,020 | +13.6% | $64,967 | $53,630 – $173,440 | 200 |
| Hawaii | $84,390 | — | $63,315 | $57,000 – $117,350 | 60 |
| Arizona | $83,840 | +58.7% | $65,924 | $40,250 – $124,900 | 270 |
| Indiana | $80,030 | +0.3% | $62,800 | $57,000 – $154,990 | 440 |
| Washington | $79,970 | −2.9% | $65,089 | $63,210 – $131,220 | 520 |
| Minnesota | $79,610 | +16.6% | $60,946 | $50,490 – $136,160 | 750 |
| Illinois | $79,490 | +30.4% | $60,961 | $48,160 – $141,510 | 820 |
| South Carolina | $78,850 | +53.0% | $60,727 | $37,900 – $108,890 | 90 |
| Maine | $78,250 | −11.4% | $59,779 | $49,480 – $128,760 | 30 |
| New York | $77,800 | +11.0% | $59,958 | $58,610 – $134,230 | 260 |
| Nebraska | $77,500 | +15.4% | $60,705 | $40,030 – $121,060 | 640 |
| North Carolina | $76,330 | +11.9% | $59,991 | $47,430 – $136,830 | 570 |
| Missouri | $76,080 | +8.0% | $59,714 | $46,710 – $135,760 | 220 |
| Colorado | $75,430 | +10.2% | $59,284 | $52,420 – $239,200+ | 460 |
| Montana | $73,920 | −0.6% | $58,017 | $58,290 – $105,580 | 230 |
| Virginia | $73,920 | +4.1% | $57,396 | $51,040 – $113,860 | 140 |
| South Dakota | $73,590 | +18.8% | $60,601 | $51,980 – $120,970 | 480 |
| Mississippi | $72,690 | −8.9% | $57,792 | $45,880 – $153,570 | 100 |
| Nevada | $71,450 | −7.1% | $59,095 | $50,000 – $114,990 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,550 | +9.1% | $56,296 | $46,750 – $124,560 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $69,880 | +8.4% | $54,717 | $63,110 – $89,830 | — |
| New Mexico | $69,480 | +5.7% | $55,609 | $52,240 – $102,860 | 90 |
| Connecticut | $67,630 | −23.2% | $54,263 | $56,970 – $130,820 | 200 |
| Kentucky | $67,340 | +5.7% | $53,964 | $57,090 – $107,010 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $66,200 | +3.8% | $53,240 | $44,620 – $89,190 | 680 |
| Kansas | $65,670 | +5.0% | $52,081 | $35,220 – $129,130 | 380 |
| Michigan | $65,390 | +6.0% | $52,193 | $50,640 – $130,100 | 570 |
| North Dakota | $65,320 | +5.7% | $54,650 | $53,590 – $117,010 | 410 |
| Delaware | $65,310 | +1.6% | $51,687 | $59,500 – $107,620 | 60 |
| Georgia | $65,170 | −13.4% | $51,785 | $46,630 – $123,040 | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $63,910 | +4.1% | $51,201 | $35,550 – $106,380 | 100 |
| Alabama | $63,010 | −8.9% | $49,923 | $27,270 – $146,810 | 110 |
| Tennessee | $61,950 | −2.3% | $51,957 | $45,510 – $103,620 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $60,200 | −19.3% | $49,131 | $35,360 – $106,150 | 170 |
| Utah | $59,900 | −17.4% | $48,580 | $39,480 – $100,420 | 90 |
| Vermont | $58,220 | −6.5% | $47,443 | $58,190 – $78,690 | — |
| Ohio | $56,820 | −28.3% | $47,055 | $39,150 – $103,400 | 320 |
| Wyoming | $55,680 | −28.2% | $46,919 | $49,150 – $103,380 | 50 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $88,720 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Animal Scientist | $68,940 | Bachelor's degree | +5.8% |
| Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist | $76,780 | Bachelor's degree | +3.6% |
| Forester | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +2.2% |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 | Bachelor's degree | +5.3% |
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree | +18.7% |
| Microbiologist | $87,990 | Bachelor's degree | +6.2% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $93,750 | Bachelor's degree | +6.3% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,920 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | Doctoral or professional degree | +12.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a soil and plant scientist make?
The national median salary for soil and plant scientists is $78,850 a year ($37.91 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,680 and the top 10% earn over $138,120. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays soil and plant scientists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $107,140.
How many soil and plant scientists are there in the U.S.?
About 15,730 people work as soil and plant scientists nationwide.