Average Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Salinas, CA
Yes, Salinas, CA is a highly lucrative market for Soil and Plant Scientistss. With an average annual salary of $104,990, professionals here earn significantly more than the national norm. Notably, Salinas, CA is a key hub for this profession, with a job concentration 2.17x higher than average.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $104,990 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 10.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $173,790.
- Outlook: The current demand for Soil and Plant Scientistss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 40 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Salinas, CA economy.
Salary Overview
The average Soil and Plant Scientists in Salinas, CA earns+21.4%above the national average.
$50.5
$2,019
$8,749
Soil and Plant Scientists Salary Trends (2020-2024)
Over the past 4 years, Soil and Plant Scientists salaries in Salinas, CA have shown healthy growth of 10.5%. This positive trajectory often correlates with increased demand and a favorable future outlook for the profession.
Soil and Plant Scientists Salary Distribution in Salinas, CA
The earning potential for Soil and Plant Scientistss in Salinas, CA varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 3.7x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $46,660, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $173,790.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $46,660 | $22.4 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $78,743 | $37.9 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $97,760 | $47 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $131,238 | $63.1 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $173,790 | $83.6 |
Detailed Soil and Plant Scientists Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$104,990
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$104,990
Adjusted for COL (100)
In Salinas, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $104,990 to $104,990.
Job Market Context
40
Total Jobs
0.233
Per 1K Jobs
2.17
Location Quotient
Salinas, CA has 2.2x 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.
40 people work as Soil and Plant Scientists in Salinas, CA.
Only 0.233 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Soil and Plant Scientists roles — this is a niche profession in the area.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Soil and Plant Scientists
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Soil and Plant Scientists Salary | $113,380↑ 8% | 47 mi |
| Modesto, CA Soil and Plant Scientists Salary | $118,480↑ 13% | 74 mi |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Soil and Plant Scientists Salary | $103,190↓ 2% | 86 mi |
Comparing salaries near Salinas, CA
Hiring Soil and Plant Scientistss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Soil and Plant Scientists make in Salinas, CA?
The median annual salary for a Soil and Plant Scientists in Salinas, CA is $104,990. This typically ranges from $46,660 for entry-level positions to $173,790 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Salinas, CA is 21.4% higher than the national median of $86,470.
Is Salinas, CA a good place for Soil and Plant Scientistss?
Yes, Salinas, CA is an excellent location for Soil and Plant Scientistss. It offers both higher-than-average salaries ($104,990) and a high concentration of job opportunities. See distinct detailed breakdown below.
Is Salinas, CA a good place to live for Soil and Plant Scientists?
The Cost of Living Index in Salinas, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Salinas, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($113,380) and Modesto, CA.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 40 employees in the Salinas, CA area with a job density of 0.233 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Soil and Plant Scientists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Salinas, CA