Soil and Plant Scientists pay in California
In California, the median pay for soil and plant scientists is $44.20 an hour ($91,930 a year). About 1,440 people work in this job there.
That is 17% higher than the U.S. median ($78,850). California ranks 7th of 46 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $23.73 | $49,350 |
| 25% of workers | $35.23 | $73,270 |
| Half of workers (median) | $44.20 | $91,930 |
| 75% of workers | $57.84 | $120,310 |
| 90% of workers | $74.44 | $154,830 |
Soil and Plant Scientists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $116,660 | 70 |
| Salinas | $115,910 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $108,200 | 140 |
| Napa | $104,120 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $101,660 | 50 |
| Fresno | $100,050 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $98,340 | 190 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $96,480 | 0 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $94,900 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $86,330 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $82,490 | 200 |
| Modesto | $81,570 | 30 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $81,570 | 30 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for soil and plant scientists
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +6.7% over ten years, faster than average · about 1,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $139,580 |
| Microbiologists | $108,530 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,950 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,530 |
| Conservation Scientists | $79,810 |
| Epidemiologists | $110,760 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.