Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
The median pay for a soil and plant scientists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $96,540/year ($46.41/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $71K at the entry level to $154K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $83,505 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 59.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $97K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About soil and plant scientists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level soil and plant scientists (10th percentile) start around $71K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K.Top earners bring in $154K or more - a $83K 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do soil and plant scientists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $96,540 a year - that works out to about $46.41 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,000, and experienced soil and plant scientists can clear $153,890. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,932/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 60.8% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (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 $83,505 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.