Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Kentucky
Soil and Plant Scientists in Kentucky earn a median of $67,340 a year ($32.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,010 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $78,850. Kentucky ranks 32nd of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay. There are 0.07 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $76,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,090 | $27.45 |
| 25th percentile | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Median | $67,340 | $32.38 |
| 75th percentile | $86,890 | $41.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,010 | $51.45 |
| Average (mean) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
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 | $5,611.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,805.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,590 |
| Weekly | $1,295 |
| Hourly | $32.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $67,340 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $56,470 | 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| Conservation Scientist | $71,980 | $34.61 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $98,710 | $47.46 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $61,950 | $29.79 |
| Epidemiologist | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Forester | $56,460 | $27.15 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Microbiologist | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in Kentucky is $67,340 a year, or $32.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in Kentucky earn at least $107,010 a year. The top 25% earn $86,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,090 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $61,170 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Kentucky?
About 140 soil and plant scientists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.