Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Modesto, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Modesto, CA

Median annual salary $113,340 +58.7% vs national
Median hourly $54.49
10th percentile $61,450
90th percentile $168,490
Employed locally 30
National median $71,410

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Soil and Plant Scientists
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Modesto, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,450
    25th
    $77,440
    50th (median)
    $113,340
    75th
    $157,650
    90th
    $168,490

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 142% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 42% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Soil and Plant Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $100,370

    Nearby metros — Soil and Plant Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $105,260
    Salinas, CA $97,760
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $96,540
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $96,480
    Fresno, CA $94,580
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $91,170

    Related occupations in Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Food Science Technicians $48,940
    Chemical Technicians $55,310
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $95,320
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $136,180
    Food Scientists and Technologists $81,740
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $83,000

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Modesto, CA is $54.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $70.38 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Modesto, CA is 58.7% 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 Modesto?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $61,450 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,440.