Soil and Plant Scientists pay range in Lexington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $57,090 a year or less, while the top 10% make $95,680 or more. The middle half of soil and plant scientists in Lexington earn between $61,170 and $86,890.
- $57K10th
- $61K25th
- $67KMedian
- $87K75th
- $96K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $73,150 | $6,096 | $35.17 |
| Median | $67,340 | $5,612 | $32.38 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $61,170 | $5,098 | $29.41 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $86,890 | $7,241 | $41.77 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Soil and Plant Scientists pay in Lexington vs. Kentucky and the U.S.
Soil and plant scientists in Lexington earn 4% less than the Kentucky average ($76,110) and 17% less than the U.S. average ($87,720). At the median the gap is -15% against the U.S. median of $78,850.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $73,150 | $67,340 | $57,090 | $95,680 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $76,110 | $67,340 | $57,090 | $107,010 | 140 |
| United States | $87,720 | $78,850 | $48,680 | $138,120 | 15,730 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary after taxes in Lexington
On the average salary of $73,150, a single filer in Lexington takes home about $55,837 a year, or $4,653 a month and $2,148 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
Is Lexington a good place for soil and plant scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Lexington area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.9), so the average $73,150 buys what about $78,750 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Lexington ($48,620). A typical home costs $327,671, or 4.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary in nearby metro areas
- Cincinnati, OH$69,290
- Knoxville, TN$63,140
- Indianapolis, IN$99,250
- Columbus, OH$64,160
- Nashville, TN$71,100
- Lafayette, IN$106,960
Highest-paying cities for soil and plant scientists
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($124,130).
- San Francisco, CA$124,130
- Des Moines, IA$123,060
- San Jose, CA$122,130
- Salinas, CA$111,560
- Washington, DC$107,020
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Soil and Plant Scientists salary in Lexington: questions
How much do soil and plant scientists make an hour in Lexington?
$35.17 an hour on average, and $32.38 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level soil and plant scientists salary in Lexington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $57,090 a year and the 25th percentile is $61,170, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the soil and plant scientists take-home pay in Lexington?
About $55,837 a year ($4,653 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $73,150. Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
Do soil and plant scientists earn more in Lexington than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% less than the U.S. average for this job ($87,720).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1013; area Lexington-Fayette, KY (30460). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 2.63, this job is 2.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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