Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $83,390 a year ($40.09 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $70,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,840 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 4% higher than the Washington statewide median of $79,970. The average (mean) salary is $94,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,810 | $34.04 |
| 25th percentile | $77,290 | $37.16 |
| Median | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| 75th percentile | $109,760 | $52.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,840 | $61.46 |
| Average (mean) | $94,160 | $45.27 |
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 | $6,949.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,474.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,207.31 |
| Weekly | $1,603.65 |
| Hourly | $40.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $99,110 | 40 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $94,940 | 250 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $96,450 | $46.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $123,970 | $59.60 |
| Conservation Scientist | $82,380 | $39.61 |
| Forester | $86,310 | $41.50 |
| Microbiologist | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $83,390 a year, or $40.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $127,840 a year. The top 25% earn $109,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,810 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $77,290 or less.