Soil and Plant Scientists salary in District of Columbia
Soil and Plant Scientists in District of Columbia earn a median of $107,140 a year ($51.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,750 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $78,850. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.08 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $110,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| 25th percentile | $82,400 | $39.61 |
| Median | $107,140 | $51.51 |
| 75th percentile | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Average (mean) | $110,880 | $53.31 |
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 | $8,928.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,464.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,120.77 |
| Weekly | $2,060.38 |
| Hourly | $51.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $107,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,870 | 230 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $107,050 | $51.46 |
| Conservation Scientist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Epidemiologist | $112,370 | $54.02 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $120,090 | $57.74 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $167,640 | $80.60 |
| Forester | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Political Scientist | $152,530 | $73.33 |
| Economist | $167,590 | $80.57 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,440 | $61.75 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $156,730 | $75.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in District of Columbia is $107,140 a year, or $51.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in District of Columbia earn at least $156,750 a year. The top 25% earn $121,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,230 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $82,400 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in District of Columbia?
About 60 soil and plant scientists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.