How much does a soil and plant scientist make in California?
$91,930a year
Median yearly pay for soil and plant scientists in California. That is $44.20 an hour or $7,661 a month.
- Hourly
- $44.20
- Vs. national median
- +17%
- Rank among states
- 7 of 46
- Jobs in the state
- 1,440
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,350Median: $91,930Highest 10%: $154,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,350 | $23.73 | |
| 25th | $73,270 | $35.23 | |
| Median | $91,930 | $44.20 | |
| 75th | $120,300 | $57.84 | |
| 90th | $154,800 | $74.44 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $116,700 |
| Salinas, CA | $115,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $108,200 |
| Napa, CA | $104,100 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $101,700 |
| Fresno, CA | $100,100 |
| Sacramento, CA | $98,340 |
| Oxnard, CA | $96,480 |
| Riverside, CA | $94,900 |
| San Diego, CA | $86,330 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,490 |
| Modesto, CA | $81,570 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $81,570 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for soil and plant scientists.
| 4. Iowa | $96,310 |
| 5. Idaho | $95,150 |
| 6. New Jersey | $91,970 |
| 7. California | $91,930 |
| 8. Oregon | $85,150 |
| 9. Maryland | $85,020 |
| 10. Hawaii | $84,390 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a soil and plant scientist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $44.20 ($91,930 a year).
Do soil and plant scientists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $91,930 against $78,850 nationally, 17% more.
Where does California rank for soil and plant scientist pay?
California ranks 7 of 46 states.
Which city in California pays soil and plant scientists the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $116,700 a year.
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.