Soil and Plant Scientists Pay Range in Montana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$58,290
- 25th Percentile — Junior$63,130
- 50th Percentile — Median$73,920
- 75th Percentile — Senior$84,750
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$105,580
Half of Soil and Plant Scientists in Montana earn more than $73,920. The top 10% make $105,580 or more, while entry-level workers start around $58,290.
Soil and Plant Scientists in Montana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Montana ranks 28th of 46 states for Soil and Plant Scientists pay, at $77,540 per year (11.6% below the U.S. average of $87,720).
- 230 people work as Soil and Plant Scientists in Montana — 1.5% of all U.S. Soil and Plant Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 4.43: Soil and Plant Scientists jobs are more concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $58,290; the top 10% earn over $105,580.
- Hourly equivalent: $37.28 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $110,880.
- Among science jobs in Montana, Physicists pays the most ($125,680).
Soil and Plant Scientists Job Market in Montana
Key factors affecting compensation
Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Soil and Plant Scientists here earn $77,540 on average, placing the state 28th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $77,540 is roughly equivalent to $81,621 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Pennsylvania ($78,720), Virginia ($78,520), South Carolina ($77,940) 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 Montana
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $125,680/yr Montana +62.1% vs this role
- Microbiologists $104,520/yr Montana +34.8% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $102,700/yr Montana +32.4% vs this role
- Economists $97,330/yr Montana +25.5% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $97,050/yr Montana +25.2% vs this role
- Hydrologists $92,840/yr Montana +19.7% vs this role
- Geoscientists $85,330/yr Montana +10.0% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $85,240/yr Montana +9.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Montana?
The average Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Montana is $77,540 per year (median $73,920), which is 11.6% below the national average of $87,720.
How does Montana rank for Soil and Plant Scientists pay?
Montana ranks 28th 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 Montana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Soil and Plant Scientists in Montana earn about $58,290 per year and the 25th percentile is $63,130.
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make per hour in Montana?
About $37.28 per hour, based on the $77,540 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Soil and Plant Scientists work in Montana?
BLS counts 230 Soil and Plant Scientists jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).
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