EN

Occupation · SOC 19-1013

Soil and Plant Scientists

There are 15,730 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $78,850 a year. The most jobs are in Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
15,730
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$78,850
Median pay a year
Middle half: $61,660–$103,740
1,400
Annual openings
10-year change: +6.7%
447
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+19.5% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 84 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Des Moines–West Des Moines, IAMedian pay $132,290 · LCA filings 2430$132,2902
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $79,610 · LCA filings 13400$79,61013
Boise City, IDMedian pay $90,610 · LCA filings 0290$90,6100
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay $94,940 · LCA filings 0250$94,9400
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $80,360 · LCA filings 2240$80,3602
Fargo, ND–MNMedian pay $65,320 · LCA filings 8230$65,3208
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $95,870 · LCA filings 8230$95,8708
Fort Collins–Loveland, COMedian pay $67,330 · LCA filings 11220$67,33011
Lansing–East Lansing, MIMedian pay $65,390 · LCA filings 15220$65,39015
Madison, WIMedian pay $73,510 · LCA filings 15220$73,51015

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Des Moines–West Des Moines, IAEmployment 430 · LCA filings 2$132,2904302
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 1$116,660701
Salinas, CAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 3$115,910303
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 140 · LCA filings 5$108,2001405
Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, FLEmployment 30 · LCA filings 1$106,410301

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 190234190
St. Louis, MO–ILEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 110183110
Lansing–East Lansing, MIEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 220151220
Madison, WIEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 220153220
Lafayette–West Lafayette, INEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 3015130

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Des Moines–West Des Moines, IALevel II $99,403 · Level III $122,824 · Level IV $146,245$75,982$99,403$122,824$146,245
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $73,050 · Level III $88,213 · Level IV $103,376$57,886$73,050$88,213$103,376
Boise City, IDLevel II $78,000 · Level III $95,285 · Level IV $112,549$60,736$78,000$95,285$112,549
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $81,869 · Level III $94,349 · Level IV $106,850$69,368$81,869$94,349$106,850
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $69,867 · Level III $87,214 · Level IV $104,541$52,541$69,867$87,214$104,541
Fargo, ND–MNLevel II $61,256 · Level III $71,053 · Level IV $80,829$51,480$61,256$71,053$80,829
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $89,066 · Level III $106,829 · Level IV $124,613$71,282$89,066$106,829$124,613
Fort Collins–Loveland, COLevel II $78,291 · Level III $104,062 · Level IV $129,834$52,520$78,291$104,062$129,834
Lansing–East Lansing, MILevel II $64,730 · Level III $68,557 · Level IV $72,384$60,902$64,730$68,557$72,384
Madison, WILevel II $66,414 · Level III $75,317 · Level IV $84,198$57,533$66,414$75,317$84,198
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CALevel II $87,838 · Level III $104,395 · Level IV $120,952$71,282$87,838$104,395$120,952
St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $69,555 · Level III $88,774 · Level IV $108,014$50,315$69,555$88,774$108,014
Lafayette–West Lafayette, INLevel II $88,733 · Level III $106,787 · Level IV $124,821$70,699$88,733$106,787$124,821

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Plant SciencesCIP 01.11Varies by program398Varies by program
Soil SciencesCIP 01.12STEM OPT · up to 36 months66STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Botany/Plant BiologyCIP 26.03STEM OPT · up to 36 months131STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Soil and Plant Scientists in every metro area

All 84 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Science

Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsLife, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherMedical Scientists, except EpidemiologistsBiological TechniciansChemical TechniciansEnvironmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthChemistsEnvironmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology