Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $66,450 a year ($31.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,020 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 7% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $61,950. There are 0.05 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $78,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| 25th percentile | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Median | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| 75th percentile | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,020 | $67.32 |
| Average (mean) | $78,840 | $37.90 |
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 | $5,537.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,768.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,555.77 |
| Weekly | $1,277.88 |
| Hourly | $31.95 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $51,110 | 120 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $50,160 | 60 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Microbiologist | $114,840 | $55.21 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $86,380 | $41.53 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| Biological Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Chemical Technician | $56,390 | $27.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $71,870 | $34.55 |
| School Psychologist | $84,390 | $40.57 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,320 | $37.65 |
| Chemist | $76,980 | $37.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $57,740 | $27.76 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $96,610 | $46.45 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $66,450 a year, or $31.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $140,020 a year. The top 25% earn $104,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,880 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $47,880 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 30 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.