Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Modesto, CA
Soil and Plant Scientists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $81,570 a year ($39.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,390 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 11% lower than the California statewide median of $91,930. There are 0.15 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,080 | $21.19 |
| 25th percentile | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Median | $81,570 | $39.22 |
| 75th percentile | $114,410 | $55.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,390 | $70.38 |
| Average (mean) | $91,570 | $44.03 |
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 | $6,797.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,398.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,137.31 |
| Weekly | $1,568.65 |
| Hourly | $39.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $116,660 | 70 |
| Salinas, CA | $115,910 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $108,200 | 140 |
| Napa, CA | $104,120 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $101,660 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $100,050 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $98,340 | 190 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $96,480 | n/a |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $94,900 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $86,330 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $82,490 | 200 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $81,570 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $143,760 | $69.11 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Microbiologist | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Food Science Technician | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,910 | $45.63 |
| Chemical Technician | $56,250 | $27.05 |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| School Psychologist | $128,750 | $61.90 |
| Chemist | $83,120 | $39.96 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $69,900 | $33.61 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $123,030 | $59.15 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $69,100 | $33.22 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $103,840 | $49.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, CA
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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the Modesto, CA metro area is $81,570 a year, or $39.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $146,390 a year. The top 25% earn $114,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,080 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $46,550 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Modesto, CA?
About 30 soil and plant scientists are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.