Soil and Plant Scientist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Soil and Plant Scientists Make?
Soil and Plant Scientists earn a median annual salary of $71,410 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $45,320 at the 10th percentile to $131,440 at the 90th percentile — a range of $86,120. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $100,820.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,320 |
| 25th percentile | $57,950 |
| Median (50th) | $71,410 |
| 75th percentile | $98,110 |
| 90th percentile | $131,440 |
Soil and Plant Scientist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $100,820 |
| Idaho | $90,400 |
| Maine | $88,300 |
| Connecticut | $88,040 |
| New Jersey | $85,020 |
| Arkansas | $84,510 |
| Washington | $82,360 |
| California | $80,960 |
| Indiana | $79,820 |
| Mississippi | $79,790 |
| Oregon | $79,460 |
| Ohio | $79,220 |
| Florida | $77,970 |
| Wyoming | $77,500 |
| Nevada | $76,940 |
| Georgia | $75,250 |
| Maryland | $74,820 |
| Louisiana | $74,620 |
| Montana | $74,330 |
| Utah | $72,550 |
| Iowa | $72,440 |
| Virginia | $71,030 |
| Missouri | $70,450 |
| New York | $70,120 |
| Alabama | $69,200 |
| Colorado | $68,420 |
| Minnesota | $68,260 |
| North Carolina | $68,240 |
| Nebraska | $67,150 |
| New Mexico | $65,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,650 |
| Massachusetts | $64,490 |
| Delaware | $64,300 |
| Wisconsin | $63,770 |
| Kentucky | $63,700 |
| Tennessee | $63,420 |
| Kansas | $62,530 |
| Vermont | $62,300 |
| South Dakota | $61,970 |
| North Dakota | $61,790 |
| Michigan | $61,710 |
| Oklahoma | $61,380 |
| Illinois | $60,970 |
| Arizona | $52,830 |
| South Carolina | $51,550 |
| West Virginia | $42,730 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Soil and Plant Scientists
Soil and Plant Scientist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$45,320 – $57,950 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$71,410 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$98,110 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $131,440+ |
How to Earn More as a Soil and Plant Scientist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Soil and Plant Scientists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA earn $103,620 — $32,210 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($98,110) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Soil and Plant Scientist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientistthis career | $71,410 |
| Agricultural Manager | $87,980 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $84,630 |
| Animal Scientist | $79,120 |
| Food Scientists and Technologist | $85,310 |
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SOC: 19-1013.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.