BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Soil and Plant Scientists in Virginia

$78,520 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$37.75 per hour

▼ 10.5% below U.S. average25th of 46 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$78,520per year
Median$73,920per year
Hourly$37.75per hour
10th – 90th percentile$51,040 – $113,860per year

Soil and Plant Scientists Pay Range in Virginia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$51,040
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$62,690
  • 50th Percentile — Median$73,920
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$89,870
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$113,860

Half of Soil and Plant Scientists in Virginia earn more than $73,920. The top 10% make $113,860 or more, while entry-level workers start around $51,040.

Soil and Plant Scientists in Virginia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Virginia ranks 25th of 46 states for Soil and Plant Scientists pay, at $78,520 per year (10.5% below the U.S. average of $87,720).
  • 140 people work as Soil and Plant Scientists in Virginia — 0.9% of all U.S. Soil and Plant Scientists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.33: Soil and Plant Scientists jobs are less concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $51,040; the top 10% earn over $113,860.
  • Hourly equivalent: $37.75 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $110,880.
  • Among science jobs in Virginia, Physicists pays the most ($159,320).

Soil and Plant Scientists Job Market in Virginia

Key factors affecting compensation

Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Soil and Plant Scientists here earn $78,520 on average, placing the state 25th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $78,520 is roughly equivalent to $71,382 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Mississippi ($82,750), Arizona ($81,680), South Dakota ($79,240) 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 Virginia?

The average Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Virginia is $78,520 per year (median $73,920), which is 10.5% below the national average of $87,720.

How does Virginia rank for Soil and Plant Scientists pay?

Virginia ranks 25th 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 Virginia?

The lowest-paid 10% of Soil and Plant Scientists in Virginia earn about $51,040 per year and the 25th percentile is $62,690.

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

About $37.75 per hour, based on the $78,520 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Soil and Plant Scientists work in Virginia?

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

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