Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in California
Soil and Plant Scientists in California earn a median annual wage of $91,930 —16.6% above the national median of $78,850. That ranks CA #7 of 46 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.78× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for soil and plant scientists
All 46 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $107,140 | $51.51 | 60 | 0.79 |
| 2 | Florida | $103,240 | $49.64 | 270 | 0.27 |
| 3 | Alaska | $100,320 | $48.23 | 30 | 0.92 |
| 4 | Iowa | $96,310 | $46.30 | 960 | 6.07 |
| 5 | Idaho | $95,150 | $45.75 | 540 | 6.19 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $91,970 | $44.22 | 130 | 0.30 |
| 7 | California | $91,930 | $44.20 | 1,440 | 0.78 |
| 8 | Oregon | $85,150 | $40.94 | 620 | 3.12 |
| 9 | Maryland | $85,020 | $40.87 | 200 | 0.70 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $84,390 | $40.57 | 60 | 0.99 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $97,860 | $91,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do soil and plant scientists make in California?
The median annual wage for soil and plant scientists in California is $91,930, or $44.20 per hour. That is 16.6% above the national median of $78,850.
What is the entry-level soil and plant scientists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $49,350 per year ($23.73/hour). The 25th percentile is $73,270.
How many people work as soil and plant scientists in California?
About 1,440 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for soil and plant scientists?
California ranks #7 of 46 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.78x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays soil and plant scientists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $107,140 per year, followed by Florida ($103,240) and Alaska ($100,320).