Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $86,120 +20.6% vs national
Median hourly $41.41
10th percentile $58,770
90th percentile $135,160
Employed locally 240
National median $71,410

Compare Soil and Plant Scientists salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Soil and Plant Scientists
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,770
    25th
    $69,170
    50th (median)
    $86,120
    75th
    $106,870
    90th
    $135,160

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 102% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 2% above 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
    Iowa City, IA $84,360

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Agricultural Technicians $39,340
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $101,880
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $82,830
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $76,220
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $44,040
    Food Scientists and Technologists $63,450

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Des Moines, IA is $41.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.47 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Des Moines, IA is 20.6% above 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $58,770 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $69,170.