SOC 19-1013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Soil and Plant Scientists — North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA comes to $91,170 a year, ahead of the national median of $78,850 by 15.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA comes to $91,170 a year, ahead of the national median of $78,850 by 15.6%. Pay ranges from under $50,380 at the tenth percentile to more than $124,190 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $62,830 to $115,210.
Employment stands at 30, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $116,660. Of the 350 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 70th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,380 | −36.1% |
| 25th | $62,830 | −20.3% |
| Median (50th) | $91,170 | +15.6% |
| 75th | $115,210 | +46.1% |
| 90th | $124,190 | +57.5% |
| Mean | $88,710 | +12.5% |
Other 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 North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $91,170 buys what $82,358 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$91,170as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$82,358US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $91,170 a year, 15.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,380 to $124,190 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in 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 North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA?
The median annual wage is $91,170, or $43.83 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 North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA is 15.6% 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 North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA earns more than $124,190 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,380 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 30 jobs in this occupation in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA. 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.
Explore related data