Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $64,150 -10.2% vs national
Median hourly $30.84
10th percentile $52,550
90th percentile $84,980
Employed locally 30
National median $71,410

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Soil and Plant Scientists
in
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,550
    25th
    $52,550
    50th (median)
    $64,150
    75th
    $67,670
    90th
    $84,980

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Soil and Plant Scientists salary vs area income 93% Median Soil and Plant Scientists salary is 7% 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
    District of Columbia $100,820
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $99,890
    Cedar Rapids, IA $94,980
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $92,310
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $91,170
    Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $86,120

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $82,920
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $97,120
    School Psychologists $74,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Waterloo, IA is $30.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.85 or more per hour.

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

    The median Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Waterloo, IA is 10.2% 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 Waterloo?

    Entry-level Soil and Plant Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $52,550 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $52,550.