SOC 19-1013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Soil and Plant Scientists — California
California · 10 metro areas compared
In California the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists is $91,930 a year, which is 16.6% higher than the national figure of $78,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In California the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists is $91,930 a year, which is 16.6% higher than the national figure of $78,850. Half of workers earn between $73,270 and $120,310. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $49,350 and the ninetieth at $154,830.
The area has 1,440 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.78 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 46 states with published data for this occupation, California ranks 7th by median wage. San Jose leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $116,660. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 252nd of 793 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,350 | −37.4% |
| 25th | $73,270 | −7.1% |
| Median (50th) | $91,930 | +16.6% |
| 75th | $120,310 | +52.6% |
| 90th | $154,830 | +96.4% |
| Mean | $99,260 | +25.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $116,660 | 70 | |
| 2 | Salinas | $115,910 | 30 | |
| 3 | San Francisco | $108,200 | 140 | |
| 4 | Napa | $104,120 | 70 | |
| 5 | Santa Rosa | $101,660 | 50 | |
| 6 | Fresno | $100,050 | 90 | |
| 7 | Sacramento | $98,340 | 190 | |
| 8 | Oxnard | $96,480 | — | |
| 9 | Riverside | $94,900 | 70 | |
| 10 | San Diego | $86,330 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $91,930 buys what $83,044 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 5.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$91,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$83,044US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $91,930 a year, 16.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,350 to $154,830 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,440 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 7th of 46 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $116,660.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in California?
The median annual wage is $91,930, or $44.20 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $78,850, so pay in California is 16.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in California earns more than $154,830 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,350 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $116,660 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,440 jobs in this occupation in California. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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