Average Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The average salary for a Soil and Plant Scientists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $87,970. This compensation is in line with national standards, reflecting a balanced and stable local job market. Notably, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is a key hub for this profession, with a job concentration 1.39x higher than average.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $87,970 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 15.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $153,080.
- Outlook: The current demand for Soil and Plant Scientistss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 30 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA economy.
Salary Overview
The average Soil and Plant Scientists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA earns+1.7%above the national average.
$42.3
$1,692
$7,331
Soil and Plant Scientists Salary Trends (2020-2024)
Over the past 3 years, Soil and Plant Scientists salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA have shown healthy growth of 15.5%. This positive trajectory often correlates with increased demand and a favorable future outlook for the profession.
Soil and Plant Scientists Salary Distribution in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The earning potential for Soil and Plant Scientistss in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 3.6x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $42,690, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $153,080.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $42,690 | $20.5 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $65,978 | $31.7 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $70,290 | $33.8 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $109,963 | $52.9 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $153,080 | $73.6 |
Detailed Soil and Plant Scientists Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$87,970
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$87,970
Adjusted for COL (100)
In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $87,970 to $87,970.
Job Market Context
30
Total Jobs
0.15
Per 1K Jobs
1.39
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.39, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Soil and Plant Scientists roles compared to the national norm.
30 people work as Soil and Plant Scientists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA.
Only 0.15 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 Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Soil and Plant Scientists Salary | $80,190↓ 9% | 26 mi |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA Soil and Plant Scientists Salary | $71,460↓ 19% | 85 mi |
Comparing salaries near Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Hiring Soil and Plant Scientistss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Soil and Plant Scientists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median annual salary for a Soil and Plant Scientists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $87,970. This typically ranges from $42,690 for entry-level positions to $153,080 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is 1.7% higher than the national median of $86,470.
Is Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA a good place for Soil and Plant Scientistss?
Yes, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is an excellent location for Soil and Plant Scientistss. It offers both higher-than-average salaries ($87,970) and a high concentration of job opportunities. See distinct detailed breakdown below.
Is Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA a good place to live for Soil and Plant Scientists?
The Cost of Living Index in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA ($80,190) and Bakersfield-Delano, CA.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 30 employees in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area with a job density of 0.15 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA