Soil and Plant Scientists salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
Soil and Plant Scientists in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area earn a median of $81,570 a year ($39.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,360 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 11% lower than the California statewide median of $91,930. There are 0.26 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| 25th percentile | $51,920 | $24.96 |
| Median | $81,570 | $39.22 |
| 75th percentile | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,360 | $70.37 |
| Average (mean) | $88,490 | $42.55 |
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 | $6,797.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,398.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,137.31 |
| Weekly | $1,568.65 |
| Hourly | $39.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $116,660 | 70 |
| Salinas, CA | $115,910 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $108,200 | 140 |
| Napa, CA | $104,120 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $101,660 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $100,050 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $98,340 | 190 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $96,480 | n/a |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $94,900 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $86,330 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $82,490 | 200 |
| Modesto, CA | $81,570 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $125,070 | $60.13 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $90,640 | $43.58 |
| Conservation Scientist | $77,280 | $37.15 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $109,920 | $52.85 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $155,960 | $74.98 |
| Food Science Technician | $53,530 | $25.74 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Agricultural Technician | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $117,420 | $56.45 |
| Chemical Technician | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Chemist | $86,060 | $41.37 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $90,720 | $43.61 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $92,640 | $44.54 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
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 San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area is $81,570 a year, or $39.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area earn at least $146,360 a year. The top 25% earn $106,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,070 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $51,920 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?
About 30 soil and plant scientists are employed in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.