Soil and Plant Scientists Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$51,980
- 25th Percentile — Junior$60,180
- 50th Percentile — Median$73,590
- 75th Percentile — Senior$93,640
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$120,970
Half of Soil and Plant Scientists in South Dakota earn more than $73,590. The top 10% make $120,970 or more, while entry-level workers start around $51,980.
Soil and Plant Scientists in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 23rd of 46 states for Soil and Plant Scientists pay, at $79,240 per year (9.7% below the U.S. average of $87,720).
- 480 people work as Soil and Plant Scientists in South Dakota — 3.1% of all U.S. Soil and Plant Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 10.32: Soil and Plant Scientists jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $51,980; the top 10% earn over $120,970.
- Hourly equivalent: $38.1 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $110,880.
- Among science jobs in South Dakota, Physicists pays the most ($108,270).
Soil and Plant Scientists Job Market in South Dakota
Key factors affecting compensation
South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Soil and Plant Scientists here earn $79,240 on average, placing the state 23rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $79,240 is roughly equivalent to $91,080 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maine ($84,180), Missouri ($83,970), Mississippi ($82,750) 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 South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $108,270/yr South Dakota +36.6% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $89,140/yr South Dakota +12.5% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $87,850/yr South Dakota +10.9% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $83,870/yr South Dakota +5.8% vs this role
- Animal Scientists $79,940/yr South Dakota +0.9% vs this role
- Conservation Scientists $76,060/yr South Dakota 4.0% vs this role
- Microbiologists $75,990/yr South Dakota 4.1% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $74,900/yr South Dakota 5.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Soil and Plant Scientists salary in South Dakota?
The average Soil and Plant Scientists salary in South Dakota is $79,240 per year (median $73,590), which is 9.7% below the national average of $87,720.
How does South Dakota rank for Soil and Plant Scientists pay?
South Dakota ranks 23rd 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 South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Soil and Plant Scientists in South Dakota earn about $51,980 per year and the 25th percentile is $60,180.
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make per hour in South Dakota?
About $38.1 per hour, based on the $79,240 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Soil and Plant Scientists work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 480 Soil and Plant Scientists jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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