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Soil scientist salary
Average soil scientist salary
$91,463
Average Soil Scientist Salary
The average salary for a soil scientist is approximately $91,463 per year, translating to about $44 per hour. Salaries can vary based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and specific job roles within the field.
Factors Influencing Salary
Typically, soil scientists in states like California, Texas, and New York earn higher salaries due to the demand for their expertise in agricultural and environmental sectors. Additionally, advanced degrees or specialized certifications can lead to increased earning potential.
Job Opportunities
As a soil scientist, you can find opportunities in diverse areas such as environmental consulting, government agencies, and research institutions. The field is crucial for sustainable land management and agricultural practices, making it essential for those passionate about the environment.
Salary by Experience
Entry-level soil scientists can expect to earn lower salaries, while experienced professionals with a proven track record can command salaries significantly above the average. This dynamic creates a pathway for growth and advancement in the field.
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Where can a Soil Scientist earn more?
Soil scientist salary estimates from across the web
Average soil scientist salary by state
The highest-paying states for soil scientists are Connecticut, Arizona, and Massachusetts. The lowest average soil scientist salary states are Michigan, Hawaii, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for soil scientists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $121,282 | $58.31 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $112,596 | $54.13 |
| 3 | West Virginia | $109,523 | $52.66 |
| 4 | Nevada | $116,026 | $55.78 |
| 5 | Arizona | $121,000 | $58.17 |
| 6 | Maryland | $108,040 | $51.94 |
| 7 | Vermont | $106,833 | $51.36 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $116,041 | $55.79 |
| 9 | North Carolina | $101,629 | $48.86 |
| 10 | Ohio | $108,928 | $52.37 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $93,790 | $45.09 |
| 12 | Delaware | $100,719 | $48.42 |
| 13 | Colorado | $106,361 | $51.14 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $98,938 | $47.57 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $99,868 | $48.01 |
| 16 | Montana | $97,187 | $46.72 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $105,953 | $50.94 |
| 18 | South Carolina | $98,358 | $47.29 |
| 19 | Oregon | $99,791 | $47.98 |
| 20 | Idaho | $96,004 | $46.16 |
| 21 | Washington | $100,193 | $48.17 |
| 22 | Maine | $88,234 | $42.42 |
| 23 | California | $106,773 | $51.33 |
| 24 | Indiana | $90,285 | $43.41 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $94,739 | $45.55 |
| 26 | New York | $88,651 | $42.62 |
| 27 | Virginia | $84,531 | $40.64 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $80,411 | $38.66 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $82,504 | $39.67 |
| 30 | Iowa | $88,198 | $42.40 |
| 31 | Alaska | $81,426 | $39.15 |
| 32 | Georgia | $89,043 | $42.81 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $98,843 | $47.52 |
| 34 | Alabama | $86,195 | $41.44 |
| 35 | Illinois | $81,378 | $39.12 |
| 36 | Utah | $80,083 | $38.50 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $84,650 | $40.70 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $72,610 | $34.91 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $75,759 | $36.42 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $85,043 | $40.89 |
| 41 | Kansas | $78,037 | $37.52 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $72,118 | $34.67 |
| 43 | North Dakota | $65,112 | $31.30 |
| 44 | Missouri | $75,720 | $36.40 |
| 45 | Texas | $76,438 | $36.75 |
| 46 | Minnesota | $74,085 | $35.62 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $73,806 | $35.48 |
| 48 | Michigan | $72,220 | $34.72 |
| 49 | Tennessee | $69,720 | $33.52 |
| 50 | Florida | $54,215 | $26.06 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $68,965 | $33.16 |
Highest paying cities for soil scientists
The highest-paying cities for soil scientists are East Hartford, CT, Fairfield, CA, and College Park, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Hartford, CT | $120,953 | $58.15 |
| 2 | Fairfield, CA | $112,503 | $54.09 |
| 3 | College Park, MD | $108,643 | $52.23 |
| 4 | Greensboro, NC | $104,163 | $50.08 |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN | $90,261 | $43.39 |
| 6 | Lafayette, LA | $88,125 | $42.37 |
| 7 | Chesapeake, VA | $84,999 | $40.86 |
| 8 | Champaign, IL | $80,440 | $38.67 |
| 9 | Pleasant Grove, UT | $80,175 | $38.55 |
| 10 | Lubbock, TX | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| 11 | Saint Louis, MO | $76,337 | $36.70 |
| 12 | Saint Paul, MN | $74,327 | $35.73 |
| 13 | Fayetteville, AR | $68,533 | $32.95 |
| 14 | Jupiter, FL | $46,358 | $22.29 |
Soil scientist salary details
A soil scientist's salary ranges from $60,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $137,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a soil scientist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $137,000 | $11,417 | $66 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,000 | $9,417 | $54 |
| Average | $91,463 | $7,622 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,000 | $6,083 | $35 |
| 10th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $29 |
Highest paying soil scientist jobs
The highest paying types of soil scientists are scientist, staff scientist, and plant pathologist.
| 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 |
| Environmental Scientist | $60,208 | $5,017 | $28.95 | 56,425 |
| Staff Scientist | $93,941 | $7,828 | $45.16 | 121,054 |
| Scientist | $97,344 | $8,112 | $46.80 | 62,467 |
Top companies hiring soil scientists now:
Which companies pay soil scientists the most?
Soil scientist salaries at BASF and NRDC are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average soil scientist salary at companies like BioSafe Systems and White's Nursery & Greenhouses are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BASF | $98,044 | $47.14 |
| 2 | NRDC | $92,187 | $44.32 |
| 3 | BioSafe Systems | $91,320 | $43.90 |
| 4 | White's Nursery & Greenhouses | $89,875 | $43.21 |
| 5 | Nunhems U.S. | $89,869 | $43.21 |
| 6 | Gowan Company | $89,730 | $43.14 |
| 7 | Green Sun | $89,711 | $43.13 |
| 8 | Monsanto | $89,436 | $43.00 |
| 9 | ICONMA | $89,195 | $42.88 |
| 10 | Pioneer Seed | $89,001 | $42.79 |
| 11 | Glades Crop Care | $88,736 | $42.66 |
| 12 | Syngenta | $88,595 | $42.59 |
| 13 | AgReliant Genetics | $86,524 | $41.60 |
| 14 | Hsu Ginseng Enterprise | $86,051 | $41.37 |
| 15 | Forest Manufacturing Co | $85,524 | $41.12 |
| 16 | John Deere | $83,313 | $40.05 |
| 17 | US Meat Animal Research Center | $80,743 | $38.82 |
| 18 | Kelly Services | $76,139 | $36.61 |
| 19 | Chemtex | $74,363 | $35.75 |
| 20 | The University System of Maryland Foundation | $68,155 | $32.77 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Soil scientist salary trends
The average soil scientist salary has risen by $9,932 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average soil scientist earned $81,531 annually, but today, they earn $91,463 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for soil scientists over the last decade.
Compare soil scientist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average soil scientist salary over time
Compare soil scientist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Soil scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $91,500 | $43.97 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $87,400 | $42.03 | -1.2% |
| 2023 | $88,500 | $42.53 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $86,400 | $41.52 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | $86,200 | $41.43 | +3.6% |
Recently added soil scientist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Older Worker Career Center | Soil Scientist | Gainesville, FL | 06/13/2025 | $81,393 |
| Aecom | Wetlands/Soil Scientist | Rocky Hill, CT | 03/21/2025 | $65,182 |
| Aecom Corporation | SR. Wetlands/Soils and Natural Resource Scientist | Rocky Hill, CT | 02/16/2025 | $75,000 |
| Ornithological Council | Senior Soil Scientist | Petaluma, CA | 02/16/2025 | $77,978 |
| Department of Agriculture | Ecologist/Soil Scientist | Richmond Hill, GA | 12/13/2024 | $72,553 |
| Remoote | Soil Scientist | Oakland, CA | 12/11/2024 | $130,000 |
| American Farmland Trust | Senior Soil Health and Biochar Scientist | Washington, DC | 12/08/2024 | $90,000 |
| Federal Asian Pacific American Council | RES AG Engineer/Soil Scientist/Plant Physiologist | Nome, TX | 12/05/2024 | $86,962 |
| United States Department of Agriculture | Soil Scientist | Ione, OR | 10/24/2024 | $39,576 |
| U.S. Bureau of Reclamation | Soil Scientist | Ione, OR | 10/24/2024 | $59,966 |
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