Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $86,180 +20.7% vs national
Median hourly $41.43
10th percentile $51,680
90th percentile $121,860
Employed locally 160
National median $71,410

Compare Soil and Plant Scientists salary & buying power

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Soil and Plant Scientists
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,680
    25th
    $64,650
    50th (median)
    $86,180
    75th
    $103,460
    90th
    $121,860

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 84% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 16% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other$105,160
    Biological Technicians$61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$97,300

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in San Diego, CA is $41.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.04 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in San Diego, CA is 20.7% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $51,680 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,650.