Soil and Plant Scientists Salary
The median pay for a soil and plant scientists in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO is $67,330/year ($32.37/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $290K for experienced workers. Note: the mean (average) wage is $104K, significantly higher than the median. This typically reflects a mix of employment settings including academic and private practice positions.
So what does $67K get you in Fort Collins-Loveland?
About soil and plant scientists
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for soil and plant scientists in metros near Fort Collins-Loveland, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $83K | $80K |
| Omaha | $81K | $88K |
| Lincoln | $64K | $70K |
| Manhattan | $66K | $73K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
Entry-level soil and plant scientists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K. Top earners bring in $290K or more, a $237K spread from bottom to top.
Soil and Plant Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Soil and Plant Scientists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $107K | +36% | 60 |
| Florida | $103K | +31% | 270 |
| Alaska | $100K | +27% | 30 |
| Iowa | $96K | +22% | 960 |
| Idaho | $95K | +21% | 540 |
| New Jersey | $92K | +17% | 130 |
| California | $92K | +17% | 1,440 |
| Oregon | $85K | +8% | 620 |
| Maryland | $85K | +8% | 200 |
| Hawaii | $84K | +7% | 60 |
| Arizona | $84K | +6% | 270 |
| Indiana | $80K | +1% | 440 |
| Washington | $80K | +1% | 520 |
| Minnesota | $80K | +1% | 750 |
| Illinois | $79K | +1% | 820 |
| South Carolina | $79K | +0% | 90 |
| Maine | $78K | -1% | 30 |
| New York | $78K | -1% | 260 |
| Nebraska | $78K | -2% | 640 |
| North Carolina | $76K | -3% | 570 |
| Missouri | $76K | -4% | 220 |
| Colorado | $75K | -4% | 460 |
| Montana | $74K | -6% | 230 |
| Virginia | $74K | -6% | 140 |
| South Dakota | $74K | -7% | 480 |
| Mississippi | $73K | -8% | 100 |
| Nevada | $71K | -9% | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $71K | -11% | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $70K | -11% | N/A |
| New Mexico | $69K | -12% | 90 |
| Connecticut | $68K | -14% | 200 |
| Kentucky | $67K | -15% | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $66K | -16% | 680 |
| Kansas | $66K | -17% | 380 |
| Michigan | $65K | -17% | 570 |
| North Dakota | $65K | -17% | 410 |
| Delaware | $65K | -17% | 60 |
| Georgia | $65K | -17% | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $64K | -19% | 100 |
| Alabama | $63K | -20% | 110 |
| Tennessee | $62K | -21% | 370 |
| Louisiana | $60K | -24% | 170 |
| Utah | $60K | -24% | 90 |
| Vermont | $58K | -26% | N/A |
| Ohio | $57K | -28% | 320 |
| Wyoming | $56K | -29% | 50 |
Showing 1–10 of 46 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track soil and plant scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Fort Collins-Loveland numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a soil and plant scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Fort Collins-Loveland?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $67K, rent takes 46.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,300/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for soil and plant scientists in Fort Collins-Loveland?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new soil and plant scientists typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,145/month.
Is soil and plant scientist a high-paying job in Fort Collins-Loveland?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $67K here vs. $79K nationally.
How does Fort Collins-Loveland compare to the national average for soil and plant scientists?
Fort Collins-Loveland pays $67K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s -15%.
How much do soil and plant scientists make in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?
The median is $67,330 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,420, and experienced soil and plant scientists can clear $289,660. The mean (average) is $104,320, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Fort Collins-Loveland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,399/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 46.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a soil and plant scientists salary go in Fort Collins-Loveland?
Fort Collins-Loveland has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median soil and plant scientists salary is worth about $67,330 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do soil and plant scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.