Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
The median pay for a soil and plant scientists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ is $56,320/year ($27.08/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $113K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.32), that's roughly $54,510 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,839/month — about 48.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $56K get you in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler’s Regional Price Parity (103.32). 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, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Entry-level soil and plant scientists (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $56K. Top earners bring in $113K or more, a $75K 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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do soil and plant scientists make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median is $56,320 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,130, and experienced soil and plant scientists can clear $113,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $56K enough to live in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,824/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,839/month, which eats 48.1% 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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler has a Regional Price Parity of 103.32 (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 $54,510 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.