Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Montana
Soil and Plant Scientists in Montana earn a median of $73,920 a year ($35.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,580 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $78,850. Montana ranks 23rd of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay. There are 0.45 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,290 | $28.03 |
| 25th percentile | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Median | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| 75th percentile | $84,750 | $40.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,580 | $50.76 |
| Average (mean) | $77,540 | $37.28 |
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 | $6,160 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,080 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,843.08 |
| Weekly | $1,421.54 |
| Hourly | $35.54 |
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 Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT | $81,350 | 30 |
| Bozeman, MT | $64,010 | 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
| Forester | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,500 | $38.22 |
| Microbiologist | $87,750 | $42.19 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $52,230 | $25.11 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Chemist | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,770 | $38.83 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in Montana is $73,920 a year, or $35.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Montana?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in Montana earn at least $105,580 a year. The top 25% earn $84,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,290 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $63,130 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Montana?
About 230 soil and plant scientists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.