Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
The median pay for a soil and plant scientists in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is $95,480/year ($45.9/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.43), which stretches that salary to about $102,194 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,242/month, or 20.2% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $95K get you in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
About soil and plant scientists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Entry-level soil and plant scientists (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K.Top earners bring in $161K or more - a $98K spread from bottom to top.
Soil and Plant Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101K | +41% | 60 |
| Idaho | $90K | +27% | 430 |
| Maine | $88K | +24% | 60 |
| Connecticut | $88K | +23% | 170 |
| New Jersey | $85K | +19% | 160 |
| Arkansas | $85K | +18% | N/A |
| Washington | $82K | +15% | 610 |
| California | $81K | +13% | 1,710 |
| Indiana | $80K | +12% | 520 |
| Mississippi | $80K | +12% | 60 |
| Oregon | $79K | +11% | 490 |
| Ohio | $79K | +11% | 270 |
| Florida | $78K | +9% | 290 |
| Wyoming | $78K | +9% | 60 |
| Nevada | $77K | +8% | 40 |
Track soil and plant scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Lafayette-West Lafayette numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do soil and plant scientists make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median is $95,480 a year - that works out to about $45.9 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,010, and experienced soil and plant scientists can clear $161,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,054/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,242/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 20.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a soil and plant scientists salary go in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
Lafayette-West Lafayette has a Regional Price Parity of 93.43 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median soil and plant scientists salary is worth about $102,194 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.