Soil and Plant Scientists Salary
The median pay for a soil and plant scientists in Utah is $59,900/year ($28.8/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.54), that's roughly $60,787 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,350/month, about 34.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Utah. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in Utah?
About soil and plant scientists
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What this looks like in Utah
Pay for soil and plant scientists in Utah runs about 24% below the U.S. median of $79K. Rent runs $1,350/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.54) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Utah
Entry-level soil and plant scientists (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $61K spread from bottom to top.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary by metro in Utah
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray | $60K | +0% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track soil and plant scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Utah numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a soil and plant scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Utah?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $60K, rent takes 34.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,350/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for soil and plant scientists in Utah?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new soil and plant scientists typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,369/month. At HUD’s $1,350/month FMR, rent would take 57% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is soil and plant scientist a high-paying job in Utah?
Local pay runs 24% below the national median — $60K here vs. $79K nationally.
How does Utah compare to the national average for soil and plant scientists?
Utah pays $60K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s -24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.54), the purchasing-power equivalent is $61K — below the national median.
How much do soil and plant scientists make in Utah?
The median is $59,900 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,480, and experienced soil and plant scientists can clear $100,420. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Utah?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,949/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,350/month, which eats 34.2% 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 Utah?
Utah has a Regional Price Parity of 98.54 (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 $60,787 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.