Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $63,680 -10.8% vs national
Median hourly $30.62
10th percentile $41,990
90th percentile $97,520
Employed locally 320
National median $71,410

Compare Soil and Plant Scientists salary & buying power

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Soil and Plant Scientists
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,990
    25th
    $50,010
    50th (median)
    $63,680
    75th
    $79,070
    90th
    $97,520

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 72% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 28% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $101,250
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $100,490
    St. Louis, MO-IL $80,700
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $80,610
    South Illinois nonmetropolitan area $77,150
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $74,010

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $78,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $98,240
    Chemists $100,720
    School Psychologists $80,600
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $98,780
    Physicists $131,260

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Chicago, IL-IN is $30.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.03 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 10.8% 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $41,990 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,010.