Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $80,550 +12.8% vs national
Median hourly $38.73
10th percentile $45,640
90th percentile $131,300
Employed locally 80
National median $71,410

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Soil and Plant Scientists
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,640
    25th
    $64,690
    50th (median)
    $80,550
    75th
    $113,860
    90th
    $131,300

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 94% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 6% 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
    Modesto, CA $113,340
    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

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$92,230
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$57,610
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$128,890
    School Psychologists$124,200
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$96,390
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$96,600

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Riverside, CA is $38.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $69.60 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Riverside, CA is 12.8% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $45,640 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,690.