Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Lafayette, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN

Median annual salary $95,480 +33.7% vs national
Median hourly $45.90
10th percentile $63,010
90th percentile $161,230
Employed locally 40
National median $71,410

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Soil and Plant Scientists
in
Lafayette, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,010
    25th
    $76,800
    50th (median)
    $95,480
    75th
    $131,640
    90th
    $161,230

    Lafayette economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,895 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 159% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 59% 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
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $100,490
    Salinas, CA $97,760
    Twin Falls, ID $95,570
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $92,310
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $91,170
    Maine $88,300

    Related occupations in Lafayette, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Chemists $49,320
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $75,000
    Biological Scientists, All Other $58,450
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $75,850
    Biological Technicians $46,380
    Chemical Technicians $52,940

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Lafayette, IN is $45.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.25 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Lafayette, IN is 33.7% 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 Lafayette?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $63,010 per year in Lafayette, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,800.