SOC 19-1013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Soil and Plant Scientists — Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $83,390 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $78,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $83,390 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $78,850. Half of workers earn between $77,290 and $109,760. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $70,810 and the ninetieth at $127,840.
Kennewick leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $99,110. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 293rd of 693 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $70,810 | −10.2% |
| 25th | $77,290 | −2.0% |
| Median (50th) | $83,390 | +5.8% |
| 75th | $109,760 | +39.2% |
| 90th | $127,840 | +62.1% |
| Mean | $94,160 | +19.4% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick | $99,110 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Seattle run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $83,390 buys what $77,935 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 1.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$83,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$77,935US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $83,390 a year, 5.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $70,810 to $127,840 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kennewick, at $99,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Seattle, WA?
The median annual wage is $83,390, or $40.09 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 Seattle, WA is 5.8% 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 Seattle, WA earns more than $127,840 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $70,810 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 Kennewick, at $99,110 per year.
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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