Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $50,160 a year ($24.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,480 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 19% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $61,950. There are 0.05 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $71,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| 25th percentile | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| Median | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| 75th percentile | $94,730 | $45.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,480 | $55.52 |
| Average (mean) | $71,100 | $34.18 |
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 | $4,180 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,090 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,929.23 |
| Weekly | $964.62 |
| Hourly | $24.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,450 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $51,110 | 120 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Microbiologist | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Forester | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,800 | $37.40 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Chemist | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| School Psychologist | $80,420 | $38.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,550 | $24.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $50,160 a year, or $24.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $115,480 a year. The top 25% earn $94,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,160 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $50,160 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 60 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.