Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $74,010 +3.6% vs national
Median hourly $35.58
10th percentile $38,510
90th percentile $127,050
National median $71,410

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Soil and Plant Scientists
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Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,510
    25th
    $56,930
    50th (median)
    $74,010
    75th
    $93,700
    90th
    $127,050

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 91% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 9% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $96,540
    Greensboro-High Point, NC $74,280
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $73,880
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $72,080
    Lincoln, NE $53,790

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Chemists $78,240
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $104,300
    Biological Scientists, All Other $96,780
    Biological Technicians $41,060
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $84,570
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $79,180

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Durham, NC is $35.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.58 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Durham, NC is 3.6% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $38,510 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,930.