Soil and Plant Scientists salary in New Mexico
Soil and Plant Scientists in New Mexico earn a median of $69,480 a year ($33.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,860 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $78,850. New Mexico ranks 30th of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay. There are 0.10 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,240 | $25.11 |
| 25th percentile | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Median | $69,480 | $33.41 |
| 75th percentile | $89,270 | $42.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,860 | $49.45 |
| Average (mean) | $76,290 | $36.68 |
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 | $5,790 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,895 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,672.31 |
| Weekly | $1,336.15 |
| Hourly | $33.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces, NM | $76,400 | 50 |
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 New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,120 | $40.44 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,800 | $36.92 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,980 | $38.45 |
| Forester | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,000 | $25.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $79,490 | $38.21 |
| School Psychologist | $110,360 | $53.06 |
| Physicist | $165,340 | $79.49 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $62,330 | $29.97 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in New Mexico is $69,480 a year, or $33.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in New Mexico earn at least $102,860 a year. The top 25% earn $89,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,240 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $62,280 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in New Mexico?
About 90 soil and plant scientists are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.