📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Soil and Plant Scientist Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$75,894
per year
Median
$70,644
per year
Hourly
$36.49
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,119
25th Percentile — Junior$63,819
50th Percentile — Median$70,644
75th Percentile — Senior$96,894
90th Percentile — Top Earners$109,428
💡 Top-earning Soil and Plant Scientists in Illinois make up to $109,428 per year. The job market in Illinois is rated strong, with key industries including Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$63.9k
2021
$66.1k
2022
$68.5k
2023
$70.8k
2024
$73.3k
2025
$75.9k
2026
📈 Soil and Plant Scientist salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong presence in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Soil and Plant Scientist Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $85,001 +12.0% Medium
Aurora $77,412 +2.0% Medium
🔍
Soil and Plant Scientist Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for Soil and Plant Scientists. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $75,894 per year, Illinois's Soil and Plant Scientist salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Illinois (index: 1.05) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Illinois can expect to earn $49,119–$63,819, while experienced Soil and Plant Scientists can command $96,894–$109,428.

Looking ahead, the Soil and Plant Scientist profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Soil and Plant Scientist salary in Illinois is $75,894 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $72,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Soil and Plant Scientists the highest wages in Illinois due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Illinois has a strong job market with major industries in Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Soil and Plant Scientist employment.
  • At $75,894/year, Illinois Soil and Plant Scientist salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $72,280/year.