Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Salinas, CA

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

Median annual salary $97,760 +36.9% vs national
Median hourly $47.00
10th percentile $46,660
90th percentile $173,790
Employed locally 40
National median $71,410

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Soil and Plant Scientists
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,660
    25th
    $74,630
    50th (median)
    $97,760
    75th
    $133,000
    90th
    $173,790

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 103% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 3% 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
    Modesto, CA $113,340
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $105,260
    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 Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Forest and Conservation Technicians $64,020
    Urban and Regional Planners $104,290
    School Psychologists $126,730
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $95,100
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $89,760
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $138,590

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Salinas, CA is $47.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.82 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Salinas, CA is 36.9% 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $46,660 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $74,630.