Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $86,380 a year ($41.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,080 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 8% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $80,030. There are 0.32 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,790 | $32.11 |
| 25th percentile | $79,250 | $38.10 |
| Median | $86,380 | $41.53 |
| 75th percentile | $136,550 | $65.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,080 | $82.25 |
| Average (mean) | $106,960 | $51.42 |
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 | $7,198.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,599.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,322.31 |
| Weekly | $1,661.15 |
| Hourly | $41.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,360 | 240 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $80,030 | 110 |
| 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 |
See Soil and Plant Scientists pay in every state or the Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $55,240 | $26.56 |
| Biological Technician | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Chemist | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,190 | $30.86 |
| Agricultural Technician | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $86,670 | $41.67 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $54,600 | $26.25 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $86,380 a year, or $41.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $171,080 a year. The top 25% earn $136,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,790 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $79,250 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 30 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.