Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $96,540 +35.2% vs national
Median hourly $46.41
10th percentile $71,000
90th percentile $153,890
Employed locally 210
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 Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $71,000
    25th
    $80,700
    50th (median)
    $96,540
    75th
    $117,980
    90th
    $153,890

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 72% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 28% 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
    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 San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $142,540
    Biological Scientists, All Other $132,670
    Biological Technicians $79,270
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $160,210
    Chemists $126,190
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $80,100

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in San Francisco, CA is $46.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.07 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in San Francisco, CA is 35.2% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $71,000 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,700.