Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, Minnesota
$91,500 / year
≈ $7,650 per month · $43.99 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Minnesota · median $82,500
25th percentile
$67,500Average
$91,50075th percentile
$114,500
$67,500Average
$91,50075th percentile
$114,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary by state
Alabama$79,500
Alaska$106,000
Arizona$84,500
California$102,500
Colorado$111,000
Connecticut$89,000
Delaware$80,500
District of Columbia$115,000
Florida$102,500
Georgia$80,000
Hawaii$92,500
Idaho$99,500
Illinois$92,500
Indiana$95,500
Iowa$108,000
Kansas$79,000
Kentucky$79,000
Louisiana$69,500
Maine$87,000
Maryland$101,000
Massachusetts$80,000
Michigan$78,000
Minnesota$91,500
Mississippi$85,500
Missouri$87,000
Montana$80,500
Nebraska$79,500
Nevada$79,000
New Jersey$94,500
New Mexico$79,000
New York$92,500
North Carolina$89,000
North Dakota$80,000
Ohio$68,000
Oklahoma$67,000
Oregon$92,000
Pennsylvania$81,500
South Carolina$80,500
South Dakota$82,000
Tennessee$75,000
Utah$69,500
Vermont$69,000
Virginia$81,500
Washington$92,500
Wisconsin$71,000
Wyoming$72,000
About this role
Soil and Plant Scientists is a professional role within the function in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Soil and Plant Scientistss do
Typical education: Master's Degree
- Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
- Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
- Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
- Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
- Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
Top skills: Speaking Science Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Active Learning Writing
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Soil and Plant Scientists pay by experience level
Entry level$50,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$64,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$81,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$107,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$143,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+5.4%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,700
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
5,270 workers
$96,000Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
2,710 workers
$89,000Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
2,230 workers
$94,500Educational Services
2,220 workers
$74,500Scientific Research and Development Services
2,170 workers
$100,500Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
2,160 workers
$74,500Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
2,120 workers
$101,500Educational Services, State Government Owned
2,080 workers
$75,000Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only)
1,690 workers
$102,000Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
1,150 workers
$104,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Soil and Plant Scientists pays 9% below the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Animal Scientist$91,500
Historian$84,000
Urban and Regional Planners$98,000
Survey Researcher$82,500
Forensic Science Technician$82,000
Microbiologist$101,000
Careers related to Soil and Plant Scientists
Range Manager$80,000
Agricultural Technician$55,500
Industrial Ecologist$95,000
Agricultural Engineer$112,000
Biologist$110,000
Microbiologist$101,000
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Soil and Plant Scientists make?
The average base salary for a Soil and Plant Scientists in the United States is $91,000 per year, or about $43.75 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $64,000 and $107,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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