Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
The median pay for a soil and plant scientists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $78,620/year ($37.8/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $145K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 113.57), so that salary is closer to $69,226 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,601/month — about 50.7% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $79K get you in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim’s Regional Price Parity (113.57). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About soil and plant scientists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Entry-level soil and plant scientists (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in $145K or more, a $87K 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 |
| Georgia | $75K | +5% | 470 |
| Maryland | $75K | +5% | 250 |
| Louisiana | $75K | +4% | 60 |
| Montana | $74K | +4% | 250 |
| Utah | $73K | +2% | 70 |
| Iowa | $72K | +1% | 770 |
| Virginia | $71K | -1% | 220 |
| Missouri | $70K | -1% | 250 |
| New York | $70K | -2% | 200 |
| Alabama | $69K | -3% | 90 |
| Minnesota | $68K | -4% | 640 |
| North Carolina | $68K | -4% | 620 |
| Nebraska | $67K | -6% | 770 |
| New Mexico | $66K | -8% | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $65K | -9% | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $64K | -10% | N/A |
| Delaware | $64K | -10% | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $64K | -11% | 650 |
| Kentucky | $64K | -11% | 180 |
| Tennessee | $63K | -11% | 260 |
| Kansas | $63K | -12% | 340 |
| Vermont | $62K | -13% | N/A |
| South Dakota | $62K | -13% | 400 |
| North Dakota | $62K | -13% | 380 |
| Michigan | $62K | -14% | 420 |
| Oklahoma | $61K | -14% | 140 |
| Illinois | $61K | -15% | N/A |
| Arizona | $53K | -26% | 340 |
| South Carolina | $52K | -28% | 240 |
| West Virginia | $43K | -40% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 45 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do soil and plant scientists make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median is $78,620 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,230, and experienced soil and plant scientists can clear $145,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,021/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,601/month, which eats 51.8% 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has a Regional Price Parity of 113.57 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median soil and plant scientists salary is worth about $69,226 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.