Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Missouri
Soil and Plant Scientists in Missouri earn a median of $76,080 a year ($36.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,760 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $78,850. Missouri ranks 21st of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay. There are 0.07 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $83,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| 25th percentile | $51,150 | $24.59 |
| Median | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| 75th percentile | $100,620 | $48.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,760 | $65.27 |
| Average (mean) | $83,970 | $40.37 |
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 | $6,340 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,170 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,926.15 |
| Weekly | $1,463.08 |
| Hourly | $36.58 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $76,790 | 110 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $65,190 | 120 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $105,930 | $50.93 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Microbiologist | $78,590 | $37.78 |
| Epidemiologist | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| Forester | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Chemist | $82,800 | $39.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in Missouri is $76,080 a year, or $36.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in Missouri earn at least $135,760 a year. The top 25% earn $100,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,710 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $51,150 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Missouri?
About 220 soil and plant scientists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.