Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Maryland
Soil and Plant Scientists in Maryland earn a median of $85,020 a year ($40.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,440 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $78,850. Maryland ranks 9th 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 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $97,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,630 | $25.78 |
| 25th percentile | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| Median | $85,020 | $40.87 |
| 75th percentile | $111,530 | $53.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,440 | $83.39 |
| Average (mean) | $97,590 | $46.92 |
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 | $7,085 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,542.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,270 |
| Weekly | $1,635 |
| Hourly | $40.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,870 | 230 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $64,070 | 150 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $57,840 | 40 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Microbiologist | $108,470 | $52.15 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $100,650 | $48.39 |
| Epidemiologist | $101,830 | $48.96 |
| Conservation Scientist | $83,290 | $40.04 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $109,700 | $52.74 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,330 | $44.87 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| Forester | $86,100 | $41.40 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| Biological Technician | $52,900 | $25.44 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $131,810 | $63.37 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in Maryland is $85,020 a year, or $40.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Maryland?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in Maryland earn at least $173,440 a year. The top 25% earn $111,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,630 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $63,480 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Maryland?
About 200 soil and plant scientists are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.