Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $75,550 +5.8% vs national
Median hourly $36.32
10th percentile $43,730
90th percentile $125,920
Employed locally 30
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 Luis Obispo, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,730
    25th
    $57,530
    50th (median)
    $75,550
    75th
    $94,120
    90th
    $125,920

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 81% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 19% 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 Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $95,100
    Food Science Technicians $50,630
    Forest and Conservation Technicians $61,130
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $133,820
    Urban and Regional Planners $103,270
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $101,920

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in San Luis Obispo, CA is $36.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $70.37 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 5.8% 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 San Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $43,730 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $57,530.