Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Tennessee
Soil and Plant Scientists in Tennessee earn a median of $61,950 a year ($29.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,620 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $78,850. Tennessee ranks 41st of 46 states for soil and plant scientists pay. There are 0.11 soil and plant scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for soil and plant scientists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| 25th percentile | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Median | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| 75th percentile | $83,270 | $40.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,620 | $49.82 |
| Average (mean) | $72,540 | $34.88 |
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 | $5,162.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,581.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,382.69 |
| Weekly | $1,191.35 |
| Hourly | $29.78 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,450 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $51,110 | 120 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $50,160 | 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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $73,570 | $35.37 |
| Conservation Scientist | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| Epidemiologist | $97,310 | $46.78 |
| Microbiologist | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| Forester | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,560 | $64.69 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $108,770 | $52.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $54,840 | $26.36 |
| Biological Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for soil and plant scientists in Tennessee is $61,950 a year, or $29.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid soil and plant scientists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of soil and plant scientists in Tennessee earn at least $103,620 a year. The top 25% earn $83,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for soil and plant scientists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,510 a year, and a quarter of soil and plant scientists earn $47,880 or less.
How many soil and plant scientists work in Tennessee?
About 370 soil and plant scientists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.