Soil and Plant Scientists pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $63,250 a year or less, while the top 10% make $170,980 or more. The middle half of soil and plant scientists in Washington earn between $79,230 and $128,610.
- $63K10th
- $79K25th
- $96KMedian
- $129K75th
- $171K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $107,020 | $8,918 | $51.45 |
| Median | $95,870 | $7,989 | $46.09 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $79,230 | $6,602 | $38.09 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $128,610 | $10,718 | $61.83 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Soil and Plant Scientists pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Soil and plant scientists in Washington earn 3% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($110,880) and 22% more than the U.S. average ($87,720). At the median the gap is +22% against the U.S. median of $78,850.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $107,020 | $95,870 | $63,250 | $170,980 | 230 |
| Washington, D.C. | $110,880 | $107,140 | $79,230 | $156,750 | 60 |
| United States | $87,720 | $78,850 | $48,680 | $138,120 | 15,730 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $107,020, a single filer in Washington takes home about $77,990 a year, or $6,499 a month and $3,000 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $80,106 | $6,676 |
| Working in MD | $79,238 | $6,603 |
| Working in VA | $78,779 | $6,565 |
| Working in DC | $77,990 | $6,499 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for soil and plant scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $107,020 buys what about $98,288 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 5.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$66,750
- Richmond, VA$77,150
- Philadelphia, PA$71,560
- Durham, NC$90,370
- Raleigh, NC$87,880
- Greensboro, NC$88,830
Highest-paying cities for soil and plant scientists
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($124,130).
- San Francisco, CA$124,130
- Des Moines, IA$123,060
- San Jose, CA$122,130
- Salinas, CA$111,560
- Washington, DC$107,020
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Washington: questions
How much do soil and plant scientists make an hour in Washington?
$51.45 an hour on average, and $46.09 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level soil and plant scientists salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $63,250 a year and the 25th percentile is $79,230, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the soil and plant scientists take-home pay in Washington?
About $77,990 a year ($6,499 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $107,020.
Do soil and plant scientists earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 22% more than the U.S. average for this job ($87,720).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1013; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.5%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.73, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.73).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.