Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Richmond, VA
The median pay for a soil and plant scientists in Richmond, VA is $70,020/year ($33.66/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $116K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.86), that's roughly $71,551 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,655/month — about 36% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $70K get you in Richmond?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Richmond’s Regional Price Parity (97.86). 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, Richmond, VA
Entry-level soil and plant scientists (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K. Top earners bring in $116K or more, a $65K 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 Richmond numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do soil and plant scientists make in Richmond, VA?
The median is $70,020 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,990, and experienced soil and plant scientists can clear $116,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $70K enough to live in Richmond?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,511/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,655/month, which eats 36.7% 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 Richmond?
Richmond has a Regional Price Parity of 97.86 (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 $71,551 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.