Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $86,570 a year ($41.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,320 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 13% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $76,330. There are 0.20 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $90,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,990 | $19.23 |
| 25th percentile | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| Median | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| 75th percentile | $116,120 | $55.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,320 | $64.58 |
| Average (mean) | $90,370 | $43.45 |
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 | $7,214.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,607.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,329.62 |
| Weekly | $1,664.81 |
| Hourly | $41.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $78,020 | 160 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,330 | 100 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $74,280 | 30 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,850 | $50.89 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $87,650 | $42.14 |
| Epidemiologist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| Chemist | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Biological Technician | $58,400 | $28.08 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $128,380 | $61.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $86,570 a year, or $41.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $134,320 a year. The top 25% earn $116,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,990 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $62,550 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 70 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.