Soil and Plant Scientist salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A soil and plant scientist earns a median of $78,850 a year ($37.91 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $87,720. About 15,730 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $78,850
- Gross pay
- $3,032.69
- Federal income tax
- −$327.58
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$188.03
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$43.97
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $2,473.11
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $78,850
- Federal
- $8,517
- FICA
- $6,032
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $64,301
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist: $76,780
- Historian: $76,750
- Forester: $76,400
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist: $82,220
- Conservation Scientist: $73,010
- Forensic Science Technician: $72,060
- Anthropologist and Archeologist: $70,770
- Epidemiologist: $87,220
BLS occupation: Soil and Plant Scientists. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 19-1013). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a soil and plant scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $37.91; the average is $42.17.
What is the salary range for a soil and plant scientist?
The bottom 10% earn under $48,680 and the top 10% earn over $138,120 a year.
How much is $78,850 after taxes?
About $64,301 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $60,188 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.