Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Colorado
Soil and Plant Scientists in Colorado earn a median of $75,430 a year ($36.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $288,300 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $78,850. Colorado ranks 22nd of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay. There are 0.16 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $107,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| 25th percentile | $61,930 | $29.77 |
| Median | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| 75th percentile | $105,410 | $50.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $288,300 | $138.61 |
| Average (mean) | $107,330 | $51.60 |
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 | $6,285.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,142.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,901.15 |
| Weekly | $1,450.58 |
| Hourly | $36.26 |
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 cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $67,330 | 220 |
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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Epidemiologist | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| Microbiologist | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,580 | $47.87 |
| Forester | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in Colorado is $75,430 a year, or $36.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $288,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in Colorado earn at least $288,300 a year. The top 25% earn $105,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,420 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $61,930 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Colorado?
About 460 soil and plant scientists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.