Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $67,340 a year ($32.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,680 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is about the same as the Kentucky statewide median of $67,340. There are 0.27 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| 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) | $95,680 | $46.00 |
| Average (mean) | $73,150 | $35.17 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Microbiologist | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| Epidemiologist | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $51,780 | $24.89 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,950 | $38.44 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $67,610 | $32.51 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $87,870 | $42.24 |
| Chemist | $68,640 | $33.00 |
| School Psychologist | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,170 | $26.52 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $67,700 | $32.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $67,340 a year, or $32.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $95,680 a year. The top 25% earn $86,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 80 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.