SOC 19-1013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Soil and Plant Scientists — Idaho
Idaho · 2 metro areas compared
In Idaho the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists is $95,150 a year, which is 20.7% higher than the national figure of $78,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Idaho the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists is $95,150 a year, which is 20.7% higher than the national figure of $78,850. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $67,120 and $110,230. The lowest tenth earn under $58,440, while the highest tenth earn more than $167,960.
The area has 540 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.6 of every thousand jobs. Idaho ranks number 5th out of 46 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Boise City records the highest median at $90,610. Of the 617 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 86th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,440 | −25.9% |
| 25th | $67,120 | −14.9% |
| Median (50th) | $95,150 | +20.7% |
| 75th | $110,230 | +39.8% |
| 90th | $167,960 | +113.0% |
| Mean | $96,080 | +21.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Idaho
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise City | $90,610 | 290 | |
| 2 | Idaho Falls | $83,780 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Idaho run 4.5% below the national average, so the median of $95,150 goes as far as $99,634 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 26.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$95,150as reported by BLSLocal price level
95.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$99,634US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $95,150 a year, 20.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $58,440 to $167,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 540 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 5th of 46 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boise City, at $90,610.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Idaho?
The median annual wage is $95,150, or $45.75 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 Idaho is 20.7% 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 Idaho earns more than $167,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $58,440 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 Boise City, at $90,610 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 540 jobs in this occupation in Idaho. 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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