How much does a soil and plant scientist make in Ames?
$65,080a year
Median yearly pay for soil and plant scientists in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $31.29 an hour or $5,423 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.29
- Vs. national median
- -17%
- Rank among cities
- 65 of 82
- Jobs in the area
- 130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $50,210Median: $65,080Highest 10%: $130,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,210 | $24.14 | |
| 25th | $50,210 | $24.14 | |
| Median | $65,080 | $31.29 | |
| 75th | $96,890 | $46.58 | |
| 90th | $130,200 | $62.58 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for soil and plant scientists.
| Des Moines, IA | $132,300 |
| Omaha, NE | $81,300 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Medical Scientist | $93,720 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $82,970 |
| Biological Scientist | $82,720 |
| Life | $65,020 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,430 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a soil and plant scientist make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $31.29 ($65,080 a year).
Do soil and plant scientists make more in Ames than the national average?
No: $65,080 against $78,850 nationally, 17% less.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $96,310, so Ames pays 32% less.
Where does Ames rank for soil and plant scientist pay?
65 of 82 metro areas with data.
How much does a soil and plant scientist make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $50,210 or less a year; the top 10% make $130,200 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.