Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn a median of $99,110 a year ($47.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,430 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 24% higher than the Washington statewide median of $79,970. There are 0.35 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $104,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,290 | $34.28 |
| 25th percentile | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Median | $99,110 | $47.65 |
| 75th percentile | $128,140 | $61.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,430 | $71.84 |
| Average (mean) | $104,800 | $50.39 |
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 | $8,259.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,129.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,811.92 |
| Weekly | $1,905.96 |
| Hourly | $47.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $99,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $94,940 | 250 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $83,390 | n/a |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $122,180 | $58.74 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $129,110 | $62.07 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $125,970 | $60.56 |
| Biological Technician | $52,700 | $25.34 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,550 | $23.34 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $97,770 | $47.01 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,300 | $30.43 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,790 | $28.26 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $85,140 | $40.93 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $132,830 | $63.86 |
| School Psychologist | $115,650 | $55.60 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kennewick-Richland, WA
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 Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area is $99,110 a year, or $47.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn at least $149,430 a year. The top 25% earn $128,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,290 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $83,100 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
About 40 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.