Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Salem, OR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Salem, OR

Median annual salary $89,220 +24.9% vs national
Median hourly $42.90
10th percentile $49,070
90th percentile $107,980
Employed locally 140
National median $71,410

Compare Soil and Plant Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Salem, OR stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Soil and Plant Scientists
in
Salem, OR
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,070
    25th
    $63,480
    50th (median)
    $89,220
    75th
    $98,110
    90th
    $107,980

    Salem economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 117% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 17% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $101,250
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $100,490
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $99,890
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $91,170
    East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $87,540
    Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $84,180

    Related occupations in Salem, OR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $83,280
    Urban and Regional Planners $100,070
    School Psychologists $91,660
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $134,440
    Foresters $85,150
    Food Science Technicians $39,100

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Salem, OR is $42.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $54.50 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Salem, OR is 24.9% 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 Salem?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $49,070 per year in Salem, OR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,480.