Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $70,290 -1.6% vs national
Median hourly $33.79
10th percentile $42,690
90th percentile $153,080
Employed locally 30
National median $71,410

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Soil and Plant Scientists
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Santa Maria, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,690
    25th
    $44,060
    50th (median)
    $70,290
    75th
    $117,750
    90th
    $153,080

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 73% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 27% 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $105,750
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $131,170
    Biological Scientists, All Other $111,220
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $100,240
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $95,100
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $92,790

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Santa Maria, CA is $33.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.60 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Santa Maria, CA is 1.6% below 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $42,690 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,060.