Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $62,290 -12.8% vs national
Median hourly $29.95
10th percentile $48,060
90th percentile $126,750
Employed locally 150
National median $71,410

Compare Soil and Plant Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Soil and Plant Scientists
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,060
    25th
    $57,250
    50th (median)
    $62,290
    75th
    $100,830
    90th
    $126,750

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 88% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 12% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Soil and Plant Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Modesto, CA $113,340
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $105,260
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $103,620
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $101,250
    District of Columbia $100,820
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $100,490

    Nearby metros — Soil and Plant Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $100,820
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $99,890
    Cedar Rapids, IA $94,980
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $92,310
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $91,170
    Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $86,120

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Biological Technicians $52,670
    Biological Scientists, All Other $79,170
    Agricultural Technicians $46,630
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $134,160
    Microbiologists $108,040
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $79,410

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Ames, IA is $29.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.58 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Soil and Plant Scientists salaries?

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Ames, IA is 12.8% below the national median of $71,410. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Soil and Plant Scientists in Ames?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $48,060 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $57,250.