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Average Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Montana

Soil and Plant Scientists in Montana earn an average annual salary of $77,310, which is below the national average of $86,470. This differential is often influenced by the specific economic landscape and demand within the state's agricultural and environmental sectors, which may not always align with national compensation trends.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $77,310 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 14.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $119,990.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 250 Soil and Plant Scientists, Montana demonstrates a notable concentration of these professionals, as indicated by a Location Quotient of 4.51. This suggests a robust demand and a specialized job market within the state, potentially offering stable employment opportunities for those in the field.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$77,310

The average Soil and Plant Scientists in Montana earns-10.6%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$37.2

Weekly

$1,487

Monthly

$6,443

Soil and Plant Scientists Salary Distribution in Montana

Career progression for Soil and Plant Scientists in Montana typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior scientists with extensive expertise and leadership roles can command salaries well into the upper percentiles, reflecting a clear path for advancement and increased earning potential.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$50,620$24.3
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$57,983$27.9
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$74,330$35.7
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$96,638$46.5
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$119,990$57.7

Detailed Soil and Plant Scientists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$77,310

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$72,320

Adjusted for COL (106.9)

The average annual salary of $77,310 in Montana needs to be considered alongside a Cost of Living Index of 106.9. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the cost of living is also slightly higher than the national average, suggesting that the purchasing power of this salary may be somewhat diminished compared to areas with a lower cost of living.

Job Market Context

250

Total Jobs

0.486

Per 1K Jobs

4.51

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Montana has 4.5x the national concentration of Soil and Plant Scientists jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

Montana's Location Quotient of 4.51 for Soil and Plant Scientists signifies a highly concentrated job market, indicating that the state employs a disproportionately larger number of these professionals compared to the national average. This suggests a specialized and potentially competitive environment where expertise in local soil and plant conditions is highly valued.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Soil and Plant Scientists

CitySalaryDist.
Bozeman, MT Soil and Plant Scientists Salary$69,000↓ 11%90 mi

Comparing salaries near Montana

Hiring Soil and Plant Scientistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Soil and Plant Scientists make in Montana?

The median annual salary for a Soil and Plant Scientists in Montana is $77,310. This typically ranges from $50,620 for entry-level positions to $119,990 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Montana is 10.6% lower than the national median of $86,470.

Is Montana a lucrative place for Soil and Plant Scientists?

No, not when compared to the national average salary.While Montana has a high concentration of Soil and Plant Scientists, the average salary of $77,310 is below the national average of $86,470, and the cost of living is slightly above average.

Is Montana a good place to live for Soil and Plant Scientists?

The Cost of Living Index in Montana is 106.9. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Montana?

Some top paying nearby cities include Bozeman, MT ($69,000) and others.

What is the average salary for a Soil and Plant Scientist in Montana?

The average annual salary for a Soil and Plant Scientist in Montana is $77,310.

How does Montana's salary compare to the national average?

The average salary in Montana ($77,310) is lower than the national average ($86,470).

What does the Location Quotient of 4.51 mean for this role in Montana?

A Location Quotient of 4.51 indicates that Soil and Plant Scientists are significantly more concentrated in Montana than the national average, suggesting a specialized and potentially robust local job market for this profession.

How does the Cost of Living in Montana affect the salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 106.9, Montana is slightly more expensive than the national average, meaning the $77,310 salary may have less purchasing power than it would in a lower-cost area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 250 employees in the Montana area with a job density of 0.486 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Soil and Plant Scientists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Montana