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Plant breeder salary
Average plant breeder salary
$78,129
Understanding Plant Breeder Salaries
A Plant Breeder focuses on improving plant varieties through genetic research and breeding techniques. The average annual salary for this role is $78,129. However, factors such as location, experience, and specific industry can significantly affect earnings.
Top States for Plant Breeder Salaries
States with the highest demand for plant breeders often offer better salaries. For instance, California, Texas, and Florida are known for their robust agricultural industries, providing ample opportunities for breeders. Additionally, plant breeders with advanced degrees or specialized skills can negotiate higher salaries.
Experience Matters
Entry-level positions may start at lower salaries, but as breeders gain experience, their earning potential increases substantially. For example, those with over ten years of experience can earn upwards of $90,000 annually.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for plant breeders is promising, with demand expected to grow as the agricultural sector seeks innovative solutions for food production challenges. This profession not only offers competitive salaries but also the chance to make a meaningful impact on sustainable agriculture.
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Where can a Plant Breeder earn more?
Plant breeder salary estimates from across the web
Average plant breeder salary by state
The average plant breeder salary in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average plant breeder salary states are Wyoming, Texas, and North Dakota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for plant breeders
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $107,101 | $51.49 |
| 2 | Ohio | $107,804 | $51.83 |
| 3 | Arizona | $108,385 | $52.11 |
| 4 | Vermont | $117,943 | $56.70 |
| 5 | Kentucky | $100,985 | $48.55 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $122,016 | $58.66 |
| 7 | Nevada | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $123,837 | $59.54 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $123,584 | $59.42 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $99,205 | $47.69 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $91,075 | $43.79 |
| 12 | Montana | $94,908 | $45.63 |
| 13 | South Carolina | $97,982 | $47.11 |
| 14 | Maryland | $108,686 | $52.25 |
| 15 | Delaware | $100,925 | $48.52 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $104,308 | $50.15 |
| 17 | Idaho | $94,271 | $45.32 |
| 18 | Indiana | $87,938 | $42.28 |
| 19 | Iowa | $86,054 | $41.37 |
| 20 | Maine | $99,281 | $47.73 |
| 21 | Colorado | $97,624 | $46.93 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $95,281 | $45.81 |
| 23 | Oregon | $98,636 | $47.42 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $87,894 | $42.26 |
| 25 | Alabama | $83,579 | $40.18 |
| 26 | Washington | $99,235 | $47.71 |
| 27 | Georgia | $86,723 | $41.69 |
| 28 | California | $93,036 | $44.73 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $82,666 | $39.74 |
| 30 | District of Columbia | $98,399 | $47.31 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $74,154 | $35.65 |
| 32 | New York | $88,599 | $42.60 |
| 33 | Illinois | $79,785 | $38.36 |
| 34 | Kansas | $73,105 | $35.15 |
| 35 | Nebraska | $81,874 | $39.36 |
| 36 | Alaska | $89,724 | $43.14 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $70,550 | $33.92 |
| 38 | Michigan | $71,888 | $34.56 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $68,744 | $33.05 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $71,724 | $34.48 |
| 41 | Utah | $74,116 | $35.63 |
| 42 | Virginia | $81,219 | $39.05 |
| 43 | Minnesota | $72,358 | $34.79 |
| 44 | Florida | $77,142 | $37.09 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $64,220 | $30.88 |
| 46 | New Jersey | $82,258 | $39.55 |
| 47 | Missouri | $71,576 | $34.41 |
| 48 | Texas | $68,497 | $32.93 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $65,909 | $31.69 |
| 50 | North Dakota | $66,130 | $31.79 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $63,876 | $30.71 |
Highest paying cities for plant breeders
The highest-paying cities for plant breeders are Philadelphia, PA, Salinas, CA, and Winston-Salem, NC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $99,893 | $48.03 |
| 2 | Salinas, CA | $97,204 | $46.73 |
| 3 | Winston-Salem, NC | $95,622 | $45.97 |
| 4 | Ames, IA | $85,599 | $41.15 |
| 5 | Salina, KS | $72,776 | $34.99 |
Plant breeder salary details
A plant breeder's salary ranges from $51,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $119,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a plant breeder's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $119,000 | $9,917 | $57 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,000 | $8,083 | $47 |
| Average | $78,129 | $6,511 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| 10th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
Highest paying plant breeder jobs
The highest paying types of plant breeders are soil scientist, plant pathologist, and crop nutrition scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agronomist | $51,288 | $4,274 | $24.66 | 208 |
| Horticulturist | $36,583 | $3,049 | $17.59 | 327 |
| Soil Scientist | $91,463 | $7,622 | $43.97 | 46,471 |
Top companies hiring plant breeders now:
Which companies pay plant breeders the most?
Plant breeder salaries at Nufarm and Enza Zaden are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average plant breeder salary at companies like United Genetics Seeds Co. and Dairyland Seed are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nufarm | $89,085 | $42.83 |
| 2 | Enza Zaden | $76,773 | $36.91 |
| 3 | United Genetics Seeds Co. | $69,542 | $33.43 |
| 4 | Dairyland Seed | $69,224 | $33.28 |
| 5 | Harris Moran Seed Company | $64,181 | $30.86 |
| 6 | R.J. Reynolds | $62,904 | $30.24 |
| 7 | University of Pennsylvania | $58,505 | $28.13 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Plant breeder salary trends
The average plant breeder salary has risen by $8,484 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average plant breeder earned $69,645 annually, but today, they earn $78,129 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for plant breeders over the last decade.
Compare plant breeder salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average plant breeder salary over time
Compare plant breeder salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Plant breeder salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $78,100 | $37.56 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | $74,700 | $35.90 | -1.2% |
| 2024 | $75,600 | $36.33 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $73,800 | $35.47 | +0.2% |
| 2022 | $73,600 | $35.39 | +3.6% |
Recently added plant breeder salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dryland Genetics, Inc. | Plant Breeder | Ames, IA | 01/14/2025 | $95,000 |
| Sakata Seed America, Inc. | Senior Plant Breeder | Woodland, CA | 01/12/2025 | $130,000 |
| Seneca Foods Corporation | Sweet Corn Plant Breeder | Le Sueur, MN | 10/23/2024 | $117,147 |
| Driscoll's, Inc. | Subtropical Plant Breeder | Ione, CA | 10/10/2024 | $82,530 |
| Driscoll's, Inc. | Subtropical Plant Breeder | Ione, CA | 09/27/2024 | $82,530 |
| Randstad Us | Plant Breeder | Dallas, NC | 04/27/2024 | $90,000 |
| Personnel Services Unlimited | Plant Breeder-New Opening! | Dallas, NC | 04/26/2024 | $90,000 |
| Kelly Services | Assistant Grower/Plant Breeder-Agriculture | Saint Paul, OR | 02/27/2024 | $37,566 |
| Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc. | Subtropical Plant Breeder | Dover, FL | 02/09/2024 | $82,530 |
| Kelly | Plant Breeder | Minot, ND | 11/23/2023 | $37,566 |
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