Soil and Plant Scientists salary in South Dakota
Soil and Plant Scientists in South Dakota earn a median of $73,590 a year ($35.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,970 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $78,850. South Dakota ranks 25th of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay. There are 1.0 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 10.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,980 | $24.99 |
| 25th percentile | $60,180 | $28.93 |
| Median | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| 75th percentile | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,970 | $58.16 |
| Average (mean) | $79,240 | $38.10 |
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 | $6,132.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,066.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,830.38 |
| Weekly | $1,415.19 |
| Hourly | $35.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $73,320 | 150 |
| Rapid City, SD | $73,310 | 50 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,890 | $38.89 |
| Forester | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $71,330 | $34.29 |
| Microbiologist | $70,530 | $33.91 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Biological Technician | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $34.22 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in South Dakota is $73,590 a year, or $35.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in South Dakota earn at least $120,970 a year. The top 25% earn $93,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,980 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $60,180 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in South Dakota?
About 480 soil and plant scientists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.