Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Iowa
Soil and Plant Scientists in Iowa earn a median of $96,310 a year ($46.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 960 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,820 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $78,850. Iowa ranks 4th of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.61 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $104,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,270 | $27.05 |
| 25th percentile | $73,170 | $35.18 |
| Median | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| 75th percentile | $136,360 | $65.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,820 | $82.12 |
| Average (mean) | $104,430 | $50.21 |
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 | $8,025.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,012.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,704.23 |
| Weekly | $1,852.12 |
| Hourly | $46.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $96,310 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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $132,290 | 430 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Microbiologist | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,880 | $38.41 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,000 | $39.91 |
| Animal Scientist | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| Forester | $83,000 | $39.91 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,830 | $42.23 |
| Biological Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in Iowa is $96,310 a year, or $46.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in Iowa earn at least $170,820 a year. The top 25% earn $136,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,270 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $73,170 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Iowa?
About 960 soil and plant scientists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.