Soil and Plant Scientists salary in North Carolina
Soil and Plant Scientists in North Carolina earn a median of $76,330 a year ($36.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,830 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $78,850. North Carolina ranks 20th of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay. There are 0.12 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,430 | $22.81 |
| 25th percentile | $59,200 | $28.46 |
| Median | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| 75th percentile | $102,890 | $49.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,830 | $65.79 |
| Average (mean) | $85,790 | $41.24 |
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 | $6,360.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,180.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,935.77 |
| Weekly | $1,467.88 |
| Hourly | $36.70 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $86,570 | 70 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $78,020 | 160 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,330 | 100 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $74,280 | 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,840 | $38.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Forester | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in North Carolina is $76,330 a year, or $36.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in North Carolina earn at least $136,830 a year. The top 25% earn $102,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,430 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $59,200 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in North Carolina?
About 570 soil and plant scientists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.