Soil and Plant Scientists salary
The BLS estimates 15,730 Soil and Plant Scientists jobs in the U.S. with a median base pay of $78,850 (May 2025, SOC 19-1013). Across 13 metros with published figures, medians range from $65,320 in Fargo, ND-MN to $132,290 in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE15,730 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall U.S. employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
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HIGHEST-PAYING METROS
- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA$132,290 · 430 jobs
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$95,870 · 230 jobs
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$94,940 · 250 jobs
- Boise City, ID$90,610 · 290 jobs
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$82,490 · 200 jobs
- South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area$82,200 · 240 jobs
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$80,360 · 240 jobs
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$79,610 · 400 jobs
- East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area$76,330 · 200 jobs
- Madison, WI$73,510 · 220 jobs
LARGEST METROS
- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA$132,290 · 430 jobs
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$79,610 · 400 jobs
- Boise City, ID$90,610 · 290 jobs
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$94,940 · 250 jobs
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$80,360 · 240 jobs
- South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area$82,200 · 240 jobs
- Fargo, ND-MN$65,320 · 230 jobs
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$95,870 · 230 jobs
- Fort Collins-Loveland, CO$67,330 · 220 jobs
- Lansing-East Lansing, MI$65,390 · 220 jobs
EMPLOYERS WITH THE MOST VISA-SPONSORED FILINGS FOR THIS JOB
- Michigan State University18 filings
- Bayer Research and Development Services17 filings
- Colorado State University9 filings
- Board of Regents of the University of Ne8 filings
- Purdue University8 filings
- University of Minnesota7 filings
- North Carolina State University7 filings
- University of Georgia7 filings
- Regents of the University of California7 filings
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research7 filings
- The Curators of the University of Missou6 filings
- University of California, Davis6 filings
ALL METROS (A–Z)
Questions
What is the median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in the U.S.?
$78,850 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half earn $61,660–$103,740.
Where do Soil and Plant Scientists earn the most?
Highest metro medians: Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($132,290), Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($95,870), Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($94,940). Cost of living differs, so compare offers locally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025 (metro, state and national estimates). Employer filing counts: U.S. DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data FY2026 Q3, visa-sponsored positions only.