Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn a median of $61,840 a year ($29.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,600 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 2% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $63,010. There are 0.49 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,660 | $24.36 |
| 25th percentile | $51,470 | $24.75 |
| Median | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| 75th percentile | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,600 | $51.25 |
| Average (mean) | $74,040 | $35.60 |
Half of soil and plant scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,153.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,576.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,378.46 |
| Weekly | $1,189.23 |
| Hourly | $29.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for soil and plant scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $107,140 |
| Florida | $103,240 |
| Alaska | $100,320 |
| Iowa | $96,310 |
| Idaho | $95,150 |
| New Jersey | $91,970 |
| California | $91,930 |
| Oregon | $85,150 |
| Maryland | $85,020 |
| Hawaii | $84,390 |
See Soil and Plant Scientists pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $78,190 | $37.59 |
| Chemical Technician | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Chemist | $79,530 | $38.23 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,570 | $29.12 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a soil and plant scientists make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area is $61,840 a year, or $29.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn at least $106,600 a year. The top 25% earn $80,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,660 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $51,470 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
About 40 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.