Soil and Plant Scientists salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Soil and Plant Scientists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $76,790 a year ($36.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,400 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $78,850. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $76,080. There are 0.08 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $88,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| 25th percentile | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Median | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| 75th percentile | $100,790 | $48.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,400 | $79.52 |
| Average (mean) | $88,980 | $42.78 |
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 | $6,399.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,199.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,953.46 |
| Weekly | $1,476.73 |
| Hourly | $36.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,360 | 240 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $65,190 | 120 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $64,460 | 90 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Conservation Scientist | $62,390 | $30.00 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| Microbiologist | $89,630 | $43.09 |
| Epidemiologist | $67,010 | $32.22 |
| Forester | $73,950 | $35.56 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,010 | $45.20 |
| Chemist | $86,690 | $41.68 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,250 | $48.68 |
| Chemical Technician | $73,290 | $35.24 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $76,790 a year, or $36.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $165,400 a year. The top 25% earn $100,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,010 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $55,470 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 110 soil and plant scientists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.