Soil and Plant Scientists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,350
- 25th Percentile — Junior$73,270
- 50th Percentile — Median$91,930
- 75th Percentile — Senior$120,310
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$154,830
Half of Soil and Plant Scientists in California earn more than $91,930. The top 10% make $154,830 or more, while entry-level workers start around $49,350.
Soil and Plant Scientists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 5th of 46 states for Soil and Plant Scientists pay, at $99,260 per year (13.2% above the U.S. average of $87,720).
- 1,440 people work as Soil and Plant Scientists in California — 9.2% of all U.S. Soil and Plant Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.78: Soil and Plant Scientists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,350; the top 10% earn over $154,830.
- Hourly equivalent: $47.72 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $110,880.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Soil and Plant Scientists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Soil and Plant Scientists here earn $99,260 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $99,260 is roughly equivalent to $69,901 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($110,880), Colorado ($107,330), Iowa ($104,430) are the closest alternatives for Soil and Plant Scientists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +103.4% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +90.9% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +49.7% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +41.2% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +34.7% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California +28.3% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California +24.0% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California +23.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Soil and Plant Scientists salary in California?
The average Soil and Plant Scientists salary in California is $99,260 per year (median $91,930), which is 13.2% above the national average of $87,720.
How does California rank for Soil and Plant Scientists pay?
California ranks 5th out of 46 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($110,880/yr).
How much do entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Soil and Plant Scientists in California earn about $49,350 per year and the 25th percentile is $73,270.
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make per hour in California?
About $47.72 per hour, based on the $99,260 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Soil and Plant Scientists work in California?
BLS counts 1,440 Soil and Plant Scientists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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