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Plant breeder scientist salary
Average plant breeder scientist salary
$73,225
Understanding the Plant Breeder Scientist Salary
As a Plant Breeder Scientist, your expertise plays a vital role in food security and sustainable agriculture. The average salary for this profession stands at $73,225 annually, translating to approximately $35 per hour. Salaries can vary based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and specific industry demands.
Average Salary by State
In states such as California and Texas, Plant Breeder Scientists can command higher salaries due to a greater concentration of agricultural research. For instance, California offers competitive compensation packages, reflecting its significant agricultural sector. Additionally, cities like Salinas and Fresno are notable for providing higher salary opportunities.
Career Opportunities and Growth
The demand for skilled Plant Breeder Scientists is projected to grow, driven by the need for improved crop varieties that can withstand climate change and pests. Pursuing advanced degrees or certifications can further enhance your earning potential and career prospects in this rewarding field.
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Where can a Plant Breeder Scientist earn more?
Average plant breeder scientist salary by state
The average plant breeder scientist salary in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average plant breeder scientist salary states are Minnesota, Tennessee, and Wyoming.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for plant breeder scientists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $104,174 | $50.08 |
| 2 | Vermont | $96,297 | $46.30 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $100,856 | $48.49 |
| 4 | Maryland | $91,140 | $43.82 |
| 5 | Delaware | $84,523 | $40.64 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $102,929 | $49.49 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $90,870 | $43.69 |
| 8 | Ohio | $90,087 | $43.31 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $83,111 | $39.96 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $87,075 | $41.86 |
| 11 | Nevada | $88,242 | $42.42 |
| 12 | Arizona | $89,127 | $42.85 |
| 13 | Oregon | $86,209 | $41.45 |
| 14 | South Carolina | $84,748 | $40.74 |
| 15 | Maine | $80,425 | $38.67 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $85,242 | $40.98 |
| 17 | Idaho | $78,136 | $37.57 |
| 18 | South Dakota | $70,172 | $33.74 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $73,901 | $35.53 |
| 20 | New York | $74,537 | $35.84 |
| 21 | Florida | $83,210 | $40.00 |
| 22 | Colorado | $81,464 | $39.17 |
| 23 | Montana | $70,902 | $34.09 |
| 24 | Virginia | $69,396 | $33.36 |
| 25 | Indiana | $72,874 | $35.04 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $69,273 | $33.30 |
| 27 | Washington | $80,525 | $38.71 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $82,920 | $39.87 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $74,892 | $36.01 |
| 30 | Georgia | $74,529 | $35.83 |
| 31 | Iowa | $68,786 | $33.07 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $67,191 | $32.30 |
| 33 | Alabama | $71,021 | $34.14 |
| 34 | Illinois | $65,053 | $31.28 |
| 35 | Utah | $64,852 | $31.18 |
| 36 | California | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $59,282 | $28.50 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $59,872 | $28.78 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $68,046 | $32.71 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $64,666 | $31.09 |
| 41 | Kansas | $59,548 | $28.63 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $54,301 | $26.11 |
| 43 | Michigan | $59,472 | $28.59 |
| 44 | Missouri | $58,389 | $28.07 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $46,976 | $22.58 |
| 46 | Alaska | $53,033 | $25.50 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| 48 | Minnesota | $55,447 | $26.66 |
| 49 | Texas | $56,263 | $27.05 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $54,671 | $26.28 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $54,208 | $26.06 |
Highest paying cities for plant breeder scientists
The highest-paying cities for plant breeder scientists are Cambridge, MA, Woodland, CA, and Miami, FL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambridge, MA | $102,813 | $49.43 |
| 2 | Woodland, CA | $83,389 | $40.09 |
| 3 | Miami, FL | $81,622 | $39.24 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $75,036 | $36.08 |
| 5 | Middletown, NY | $74,520 | $35.83 |
| 6 | West Lafayette, IN | $72,314 | $34.77 |
| 7 | Montgomery, AL | $71,173 | $34.22 |
| 8 | Saint Louis, MO | $59,558 | $28.63 |
| 9 | Salina, KS | $58,854 | $28.30 |
Plant breeder scientist salary details
A plant breeder scientist's salary ranges from $44,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $119,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a plant breeder scientist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $119,000 | $9,917 | $57 |
| 75th Percentile | $94,000 | $7,833 | $45 |
| Average | $73,225 | $6,102 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| 10th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
Highest paying plant breeder scientist jobs
The highest paying types of plant breeder scientists are scientist, staff scientist, and soil 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 |
| Scientist | $97,344 | $8,112 | $46.80 | 62,467 |
| Staff Scientist | $93,941 | $7,828 | $45.16 | 121,054 |
| Soil Scientist | $91,463 | $7,622 | $43.97 | 46,471 |
Top companies hiring plant breeder scientists now:
Which companies pay plant breeder scientists the most?
Plant breeder scientist salaries at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Syngenta are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average plant breeder scientist salary at companies like Monsanto and Green Circle Growers are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol-Myers Squibb | $99,952 | $48.05 |
| 2 | Syngenta | $91,088 | $43.79 |
| 3 | Monsanto | $71,469 | $34.36 |
| 4 | Green Circle Growers | $71,098 | $34.18 |
| 5 | Altman Specialty Plants Inc. | $69,798 | $33.56 |
| 6 | Cen-Cal Fire Systems Inc | $69,309 | $33.32 |
| 7 | Smith Gardens | $67,707 | $32.55 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Plant breeder scientist salary trends
The average plant breeder scientist salary has risen by $7,952 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average plant breeder scientist earned $65,273 annually, but today, they earn $73,225 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for plant breeder scientists over the last decade.
Compare plant breeder scientist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average plant breeder scientist salary over time
Compare plant breeder scientist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Plant breeder scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $73,200 | $35.20 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | $70,000 | $33.65 | -1.2% |
| 2024 | $70,800 | $34.05 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $69,100 | $33.24 | +0.2% |
| 2022 | $69,000 | $33.17 | +3.6% |
Recently added plant breeder scientist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BASF | Scientist-Plant Cell Biology | Davis, CA | 05/14/2025 | $96,800 |
| The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company | Scientist, Plant Care | Marysville, OH | 03/28/2025 | $75,000 |
| The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company | Scientist, Plant Care | Marysville, OH | 02/18/2025 | $75,000 |
| Scotts Miracle-Gro Company | Scientist, Plant Care | Marysville, OH | 02/16/2025 | $75,000 |
| Scotts Miracle-Gro Company | Scientist, Plant Care | Marysville, OH | 01/18/2025 | $75,000 |
| Homeworld Collective Inc. | Plant Scientist | Boone, NC | 09/26/2024 | $45,000 |
| Yoh, A Day & Zimmermann Company | Plant Protein Scientist | San Diego, CA | 09/15/2024 | $110,000 |
| Intellectt Inc. | Scientist Plant Biology | San Diego, CA | 09/13/2024 | $110,000 |
| Homeworld Collective Inc. | Plant Scientist | Boone, NC | 09/11/2024 | $45,000 |
| Giumarra Vineyards Corporation | Plant Breeding Research Scientist | Bakersfield, CA | 08/30/2024 | $60,154 |
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