Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Columbus, OH
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $60,970 a year ($29.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,640 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 7% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $56,820. There are 0.04 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $64,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| 25th percentile | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| Median | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| 75th percentile | $82,770 | $39.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,640 | $48.86 |
| Average (mean) | $64,160 | $30.85 |
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 | $5,080.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,540.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,345 |
| Weekly | $1,172.50 |
| Hourly | $29.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $58,220 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $56,470 | 30 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Microbiologist | $78,030 | $37.51 |
| Conservation Scientist | $66,110 | $31.79 |
| Epidemiologist | $80,980 | $38.94 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $75,400 | $36.25 |
| Forester | $71,340 | $34.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Chemist | $94,170 | $45.27 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,340 | $29.97 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Columbus, OH metro area is $60,970 a year, or $29.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $101,640 a year. The top 25% earn $82,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,150 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $43,880 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Columbus, OH?
About 50 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.