Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Rapid City, SD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rapid City, SD

Median annual salary $73,310 +2.7% vs national
Median hourly $35.25
10th percentile $52,820
90th percentile $120,970
Employed locally 50
National median $71,410

Compare Soil and Plant Scientists salary & buying power

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Soil and Plant Scientists
in
Rapid City, SD
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,820
    25th
    $57,330
    50th (median)
    $73,310
    75th
    $102,530
    90th
    $120,970

    Rapid City economic context

    Unemployment rate 1.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,985 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
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $77,680

    Related occupations in Rapid City, SD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Forest and Conservation Technicians $54,310
    Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists $63,150
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $81,540
    Biological Technicians $40,570
    Conservation Scientists $74,960
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $77,510

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Rapid City, SD is $35.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $58.16 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Rapid City, SD is 2.7% 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 Rapid City?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $52,820 per year in Rapid City, SD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $57,330.