Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Indiana
Soil and Plant Scientists in Indiana earn a median of $80,030 a year ($38.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,990 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $78,850. Indiana ranks 12th of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay. There are 0.14 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,000 | $27.40 |
| 25th percentile | $66,790 | $32.11 |
| Median | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| 75th percentile | $112,660 | $54.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,990 | $74.51 |
| Average (mean) | $92,030 | $44.25 |
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 | $6,669.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,334.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,078.08 |
| Weekly | $1,539.04 |
| Hourly | $38.48 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $86,380 | 30 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,360 | 240 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $80,030 | 110 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,570 | $31.04 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $69,350 | $33.34 |
| Epidemiologist | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Forester | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Microbiologist | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $54,670 | $26.28 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| Chemist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,150 | $28.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in Indiana is $80,030 a year, or $38.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Indiana?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in Indiana earn at least $154,990 a year. The top 25% earn $112,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,000 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $66,790 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Indiana?
About 440 soil and plant scientists are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.