Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $64,460 a year ($30.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 19% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $79,490. There are 0.86 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,000 | $26.44 |
| 25th percentile | $55,000 | $26.44 |
| Median | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| 75th percentile | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Average (mean) | $77,140 | $37.09 |
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 | $5,371.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,685.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,479.23 |
| Weekly | $1,239.62 |
| Hourly | $30.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,360 | 240 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $76,790 | 110 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Microbiologist | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,470 | $30.99 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Biological Technician | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Chemist | $67,310 | $32.36 |
| Agricultural Technician | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| School Psychologist | $76,460 | $36.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $81,840 | $39.35 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $102,110 | $49.09 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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 Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $64,460 a year, or $30.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $115,210 a year. The top 25% earn $82,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,000 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $55,000 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 90 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.