Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Idaho
Soil and Plant Scientists in Idaho earn a median of $95,150 a year ($45.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,960 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $78,850. Idaho ranks 5th of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.63 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,440 | $28.10 |
| 25th percentile | $67,120 | $32.27 |
| Median | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| 75th percentile | $110,230 | $52.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,960 | $80.75 |
| Average (mean) | $96,080 | $46.19 |
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 | $7,929.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,964.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,659.62 |
| Weekly | $1,829.81 |
| Hourly | $45.75 |
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 Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | $90,610 | 290 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $83,780 | 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 |
Related jobs in Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $73,360 | $35.27 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Forester | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $68,990 | $33.17 |
| Microbiologist | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Epidemiologist | $66,280 | $31.86 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,290 | $25.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,920 | $41.79 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $70,350 | $33.82 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,980 | $23.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Idaho
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 Idaho?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in Idaho is $95,150 a year, or $45.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Idaho?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in Idaho earn at least $167,960 a year. The top 25% earn $110,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,440 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $67,120 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Idaho?
About 540 soil and plant scientists are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.