Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Salem, OR
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $93,620 a year ($45.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,350 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 10% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $85,150. There are 0.57 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,540, close to the median.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| 25th percentile | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Median | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| 75th percentile | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,350 | $54.50 |
| Average (mean) | $88,540 | $42.57 |
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 | $7,801.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,900.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,600.77 |
| Weekly | $1,800.38 |
| Hourly | $45.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $93,620 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $94,940 | 250 |
| Corvallis, OR | $81,420 | 80 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forester | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| Conservation Scientist | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $117,550 | $56.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,960 | $41.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,680 | $46.00 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $143,980 | $69.22 |
| Food Science Technician | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $107,960 | $51.91 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| School Psychologist | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| Economist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Salem, OR metro area is $93,620 a year, or $45.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $113,350 a year. The top 25% earn $98,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,780 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $73,740 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Salem, OR?
About 110 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.