Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $78,020 a year ($37.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,970 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 2% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $76,330. There are 0.21 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,920 | $26.40 |
| 25th percentile | $67,030 | $32.23 |
| Median | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| 75th percentile | $101,800 | $48.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,970 | $63.93 |
| Average (mean) | $87,880 | $42.25 |
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 | $6,501.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,250.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,000.77 |
| Weekly | $1,500.38 |
| Hourly | $37.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $86,570 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,330 | 100 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $74,280 | 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Microbiologist | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Forester | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,400 | $39.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Chemist | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $96,560 | $46.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $78,020 a year, or $37.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $132,970 a year. The top 25% earn $101,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,920 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $67,030 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 160 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.