Agricultural scientists who have a PhD earn more than those with a master's or bachelor's degree. Agricultural scientists who work for the federal government are paid on a stair step pay scale. The more education and experience they have, the more they are paid. Federal employees need to apply and take a test to move up the scale.
Agricultural scientists who work full time usually receive benefits. Common benefits include paid vacation, health and dental insurance, and a retirement plan.
Soil and plant scientists (SOC 19-1013)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $30.98 | $39.28 | $53.02 |
| Yearly | $64,445 | $81,715 | $110,283 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $27.18 | $31.86 | $40.71 |
| Yearly | $56,539 | $66,262 | $84,672 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $32.46 | $40.55 | $49.66 |
| Yearly | $67,514 | $84,352 | $103,302 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $28.92 | $38.92 | $59.97 |
| Yearly | $60,141 | $80,959 | $124,746 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $29.92 | $31.68 | $44.94 |
| Yearly | $62,238 | $65,908 | $93,489 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $28.38 | $31.62 | $45.32 |
| Yearly | $59,028 | $65,775 | $94,274 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $30.75 | $41.51 | $67.96 |
| Yearly | $63,950 | $86,339 | $141,368 | |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $25.33 | $25.33 | $38.68 |
| Yearly | $52,682 | $52,682 | $80,467 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $35.35 | $49.41 | $63.78 |
| Yearly | $73,535 | $102,763 | $132,656 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $30.98 | $40.29 | $53.02 |
| Yearly | $64,443 | $83,797 | $110,282 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $32.45 | $37.79 | $49.66 |
| Yearly | $67,512 | $78,609 | $103,302 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $37.95 | $49.73 | $54.30 |
| Yearly | $78,938 | $103,457 | $112,933 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $25.85 | $38.29 | $53.02 |
| Yearly | $53,776 | $79,641 | $110,286 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $23.61 | $31.52 | $44.41 |
| Yearly | $49,125 | $65,563 | $92,364 | |
| United States | Hourly | $29.65 | $37.91 | $49.88 |
| Yearly | $61,660 | $78,850 | $103,740 | |