Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $82,510 a year ($39.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,900 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 2% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $83,840. There are 0.08 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $81,160, close to the median.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| 25th percentile | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Median | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| 75th percentile | $117,260 | $56.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,900 | $60.05 |
| Average (mean) | $81,160 | $39.02 |
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 | $6,875.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,437.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,173.46 |
| Weekly | $1,586.73 |
| Hourly | $39.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $82,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $108,390 | $52.11 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Epidemiologist | $67,260 | $32.34 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $67,970 | $32.68 |
| Conservation Scientist | $70,300 | $33.80 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $124,260 | $59.74 |
| Microbiologist | $69,880 | $33.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $107,470 | $51.67 |
| School Psychologist | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| Biological Technician | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Chemist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $82,510 a year, or $39.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $124,900 a year. The top 25% earn $117,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,250 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $46,190 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 180 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.