Soil and Plant Scientist Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $112,034 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $109,866 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $102,638 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $99,746 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $95,410 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $93,964 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $92,518 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $90,350 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $88,182 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $83,122 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $83,122 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $82,399 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $80,954 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $79,508 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $79,508 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $78,062 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $75,894 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $75,894 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $73,726 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $73,726 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $72,280 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $72,280 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $71,557 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $71,557 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $70,834 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $68,666 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $68,666 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $67,220 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $67,220 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $67,220 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $66,498 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $66,498 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $65,775 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $65,052 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $63,606 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $63,606 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $63,606 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $63,606 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $63,606 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $63,606 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $62,884 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $62,884 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $62,884 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $62,161 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $61,438 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $61,438 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $60,715 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $59,992 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $59,992 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $57,824 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $56,378 | -22.0% | Medium |
A Soil and Plant Scientist's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists typically earn $46,780–$60,780 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $92,280–$104,218 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Soil and Plant Scientist role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 3.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Science sector.
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What is the average salary for a Soil and Plant Scientist?The average salary for a Soil and Plant Scientist in the United States is $72,280 per year, with a median of $67,280.
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What is the starting salary for a Soil and Plant Scientist?Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists typically earn between $46,780 and $60,780 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Soil and Plant Scientists the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Soil and Plant Scientists the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Soil and Plant Scientist make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $72,280, a Soil and Plant Scientist earns approximately $34.75 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Soil and Plant Scientist a good career in 2026?Yes — the Soil and Plant Scientist role has medium demand with 3.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.