Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $132,290 a year ($63.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,530 for the top 10%. That is 68% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 37% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $96,310. There are 1.1 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 10.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $123,060, close to the median.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| 25th percentile | $81,000 | $38.94 |
| Median | $132,290 | $63.60 |
| 75th percentile | $161,840 | $77.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,530 | $82.47 |
| Average (mean) | $123,060 | $59.16 |
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 | $11,024.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,512.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,088.08 |
| Weekly | $2,544.04 |
| Hourly | $63.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $132,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $94,980 | 40 |
| Iowa City, IA | $84,360 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $81,300 | 120 |
| Ames, IA | $65,080 | 130 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $99,420 | $47.80 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $83,790 | $40.28 |
| Epidemiologist | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Chemist | $87,560 | $42.10 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| School Psychologist | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $71,160 | $34.21 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $132,290 a year, or $63.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $171,530 a year. The top 25% earn $161,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,250 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $81,000 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 430 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.