Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $94,980 a year ($45.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,320 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $96,310. There are 0.29 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,210, close to the median.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,200 | $15.96 |
| 25th percentile | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Median | $94,980 | $45.66 |
| 75th percentile | $129,380 | $62.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,320 | $82.36 |
| Average (mean) | $94,210 | $45.29 |
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 | $7,915 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,957.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,653.08 |
| Weekly | $1,826.54 |
| Hourly | $45.66 |
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 |
| Iowa City, IA | $84,360 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $81,300 | 120 |
| Ames, IA | $65,080 | 130 |
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 Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,010 | $45.20 |
| Chemist | $80,510 | $38.71 |
| School Psychologist | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $86,800 | $41.73 |
| Agricultural Technician | $40,110 | $19.29 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,580 | $44.51 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,180 | $24.13 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $73,840 | $35.50 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $94,980 a year, or $45.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $171,320 a year. The top 25% earn $129,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,200 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $57,380 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 40 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.