How much does a soil and plant scientist make in Des Moines?
$132,300a year
Median yearly pay for soil and plant scientists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $63.60 an hour or $11,020 a month.
- Hourly
- $63.60
- Vs. national median
- +68%
- Rank among cities
- 1 of 82
- Jobs in the area
- 430
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $74,250Median: $132,300Highest 10%: $171,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $74,250 | $35.70 | |
| 25th | $81,000 | $38.94 | |
| Median | $132,300 | $63.60 | |
| 75th | $161,800 | $77.81 | |
| 90th | $171,500 | $82.47 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for soil and plant scientists.
| Omaha, NE | $81,300 |
| Ames, IA | $65,080 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $178,100 |
| Biological Scientist | $99,420 |
| Medical Scientist | $95,200 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $92,310 |
| Chemist | $87,560 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $85,980 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $84,740 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $81,220 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $76,850 |
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $76,580 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a soil and plant scientist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $63.60 ($132,300 a year).
Do soil and plant scientists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $132,300 against $78,850 nationally, 68% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $96,310, so Des Moines pays 37% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for soil and plant scientist pay?
1 of 82 metro areas with data.
How much does a soil and plant scientist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $74,250 or less a year; the top 10% make $171,500 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.