BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Soil and Plant Scientists in Kentucky

$76,110 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$36.59 per hour

▼ 13.2% below U.S. average36th of 46 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$76,110per year
Median$67,340per year
Hourly$36.59per hour
10th – 90th percentile$57,090 – $107,010per year

Soil and Plant Scientists Pay Range in Kentucky

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$57,090
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$61,170
  • 50th Percentile — Median$67,340
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$86,890
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$107,010

Half of Soil and Plant Scientists in Kentucky earn more than $67,340. The top 10% make $107,010 or more, while entry-level workers start around $57,090.

Soil and Plant Scientists in Kentucky: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Kentucky ranks 36th of 46 states for Soil and Plant Scientists pay, at $76,110 per year (13.2% below the U.S. average of $87,720).
  • 140 people work as Soil and Plant Scientists in Kentucky — 0.9% of all U.S. Soil and Plant Scientists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.67: Soil and Plant Scientists jobs are less concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,090; the top 10% earn over $107,010.
  • Hourly equivalent: $36.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $110,880.
  • Among science jobs in Kentucky, Physicists pays the most ($179,250).

Soil and Plant Scientists Job Market in Kentucky

Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Soil and Plant Scientists here earn $76,110 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $76,110 is roughly equivalent to $91,699 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nebraska ($76,950), Alabama ($76,640), Kansas ($76,490) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Kentucky?

The average Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Kentucky is $76,110 per year (median $67,340), which is 13.2% below the national average of $87,720.

How does Kentucky rank for Soil and Plant Scientists pay?

Kentucky ranks 36th 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 Kentucky?

The lowest-paid 10% of Soil and Plant Scientists in Kentucky earn about $57,090 per year and the 25th percentile is $61,170.

How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make per hour in Kentucky?

About $36.59 per hour, based on the $76,110 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Soil and Plant Scientists work in Kentucky?

BLS counts 140 Soil and Plant Scientists jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).

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