Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Iowa City, IA
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $84,360 a year ($40.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,090 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 12% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $96,310. There are 0.37 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| 25th percentile | $64,670 | $31.09 |
| Median | $84,360 | $40.56 |
| 75th percentile | $128,690 | $61.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,090 | $79.85 |
| Average (mean) | $98,310 | $47.27 |
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 | $7,030 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,515 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,244.62 |
| Weekly | $1,622.31 |
| Hourly | $40.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,360 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $132,290 | 430 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $94,980 | 40 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Biological Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $63,690 | $30.62 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Agricultural Technician | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,210 | $44.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,570 | $43.06 |
| Chemist | $65,270 | $31.38 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $84,360 a year, or $40.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $166,090 a year. The top 25% earn $128,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,360 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $64,670 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Iowa City, IA?
About 30 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.