How much does a soil and plant scientist make in Chicago?
$80,360a year
Median yearly pay for soil and plant scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $38.63 an hour or $6,697 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.63
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 38 of 82
- Jobs in the area
- 240
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $44,700Median: $80,360Highest 10%: $135,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,700 | $21.49 | |
| 25th | $62,590 | $30.09 | |
| Median | $80,360 | $38.63 | |
| 75th | $110,500 | $53.11 | |
| 90th | $135,300 | $65.02 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for soil and plant scientists.
| St. Louis, MO | $76,790 |
| Champaign, IL | $64,460 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $137,100 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $133,500 |
| Materials Scientist | $133,300 |
| Physical Scientist | $121,700 |
| Geoscientist | $114,000 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $112,800 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $104,600 |
| Epidemiologist | $103,800 |
| Political Scientist | $103,800 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $101,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a soil and plant scientist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $38.63 ($80,360 a year).
Do soil and plant scientists make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $80,360 against $78,850 nationally, 2% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $79,490, so Chicago pays 1% more.
Where does Chicago rank for soil and plant scientist pay?
38 of 82 metro areas with data.
How much does a soil and plant scientist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $44,700 or less a year; the top 10% make $135,300 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.