Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Ames, IA
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $65,080 a year ($31.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,160 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 32% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $96,310. There are 2.4 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 23.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,210 | $24.14 |
| 25th percentile | $50,210 | $24.14 |
| Median | $65,080 | $31.29 |
| 75th percentile | $96,890 | $46.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Average (mean) | $78,630 | $37.81 |
Half of soil and plant scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,423.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,711.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,503.08 |
| Weekly | $1,251.54 |
| Hourly | $31.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $132,290 | 430 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $94,980 | 40 |
| Iowa City, IA | $84,360 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $81,300 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for soil and plant scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $107,140 |
| Florida | $103,240 |
| Alaska | $100,320 |
| Iowa | $96,310 |
| Idaho | $95,150 |
| New Jersey | $91,970 |
| California | $91,930 |
| Oregon | $85,150 |
| Maryland | $85,020 |
| Hawaii | $84,390 |
See Soil and Plant Scientists pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,430 | $23.29 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,970 | $39.89 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Chemist | $84,300 | $40.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a soil and plant scientists make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Ames, IA metro area is $65,080 a year, or $31.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $130,160 a year. The top 25% earn $96,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,210 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $50,210 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Ames, IA?
About 130 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.