SOC 19-1013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Soil and Plant Scientists — Lansing
Lansing-East Lansing, MI · 2 metro areas compared
In Lansing, MI the median wage is $65,390.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Lansing, MI the median wage is $65,390. That is 17.1% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay ranges from under $57,360 at the tenth percentile to more than $82,870 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $65,390 to $65,390.
Employment stands at 220, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Detroit records the highest median at $83,370. Of the 457 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 187th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,360 | −27.3% |
| 25th | $65,390 | −17.1% |
| Median (50th) | $65,390 | −17.1% |
| 75th | $65,390 | −17.1% |
| 90th | $82,870 | +5.1% |
| Mean | $68,590 | −13.0% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | $83,370 | 80 | |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | $57,160 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lansing run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $65,390 goes as far as $67,973 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$65,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,973US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $65,390 a year, 17.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $57,360 to $82,870 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 220 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Detroit, at $83,370.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Lansing, MI?
The median annual wage is $65,390, or $31.44 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 Lansing, MI is 17.1% lower. 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 Lansing, MI earns more than $82,870 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $57,360 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 Detroit, at $83,370 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 220 jobs in this occupation in Lansing, MI. 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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