SalaryNode

Average Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Soil and Plant Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area earn an impressive average annual salary of $100,570, significantly exceeding the national average of $86,470. This elevated compensation is likely driven by the region's robust economic activity, demand for specialized environmental expertise, and the presence of numerous government and research institutions that value these critical scientific roles.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $100,570 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 1.5% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $153,340.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 280 Soil and Plant Scientists and a Location Quotient of 0.83, the job market in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area indicates a slightly lower concentration compared to the national average. While not a hyper-concentrated hub, the steady presence of professionals suggests a stable, albeit not rapidly expanding, demand for these specialized skills within the region's unique economic landscape.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$100,570

The average Soil and Plant Scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns+16.3%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$48.4

Weekly

$1,934

Monthly

$8,381

Soil and Plant Scientists Salary Distribution in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Salary progression for Soil and Plant Scientists typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with advanced degrees and specialized expertise can command salaries in the upper percentiles. The significant gap between entry-level and senior roles, often seen in percentile distributions, highlights the substantial career growth and earning potential available within this field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$59,500$28.6
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$75,428$36.3
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$92,310$44.4
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$125,713$60.4
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$153,340$73.7

Detailed Soil and Plant Scientists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$100,570

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$100,570

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $100,570 in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the higher nominal salary effectively translates to purchasing power that is on par with the national average, offering a balanced financial outlook for professionals considering a move to this region.

Job Market Context

280

Total Jobs

0.09

Per 1K Jobs

0.83

Location Quotient

Below Average

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 0.83x the national average concentration of Soil and Plant Scientists jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.83 suggests that Soil and Plant Scientists are slightly less concentrated in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area than the national average. This indicates that while the profession is present and valued, the market is not oversaturated, potentially offering a competitive environment for skilled individuals seeking opportunities without extreme competition.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Soil and Plant Scientists

CitySalaryDist.
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Soil and Plant Scientists Salary$61,360↓ 39%35 mi

Comparing salaries near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Hiring Soil and Plant Scientistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Soil and Plant Scientists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median annual salary for a Soil and Plant Scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $100,570. This typically ranges from $59,500 for entry-level positions to $153,340 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 16.3% higher than the national median of $86,470.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Soil and Plant Scientists?

Yes, it is a lucrative place for Soil and Plant Scientists.The average salary of $100,570 significantly surpasses the national average, and the cost of living is at the national average, indicating strong earning potential.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Soil and Plant Scientists?

The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

Some top paying nearby cities include Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($61,360) and others.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Soil and Plant Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area is $100,570, which is notably higher than the national average of $86,470.

What is the concentration of Soil and Plant Scientists in this area?

The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.83, indicating that Soil and Plant Scientists are slightly less prevalent in this region compared to the national average.

How does the Cost of Living affect the salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the national average, the higher salary in this area provides purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it a financially stable location.

What is the total number of Soil and Plant Scientists in this region?

There are approximately 280 Soil and Plant Scientists employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 280 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 0.09 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Semantic Salary Analysis for Soil and Plant Scientists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV