Type of Occupation

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups plant physiologists in the occupational category of "plant and soil scientists." The average income of plant and soil scientists was $62,600 in May 2010, the BLS reports, which is an average of $5,216 per month. The average hourly wage in the occupation was $30.09, and the median hourly wage was $27.57.
  
  

Wide Range

• Income can vary significantly from one worker to the next within a certain field, depending on relevant skills, education and experience. The BLS says the top 10 percent of income earners among plant and soil scientists made $101,740 or more a year in May 2010, while the bottom 10 percent made $34,420 or less. The top 10 percent earned $8,478 or more per month and the bottom 10 percent earned $2,868 or less per month.
  
  

Top Industries

• Soil and plant scientists may work in several industries related to agriculture and scientific research. BLS data show that soil and plant scientists working in scientific research and development earned $5,761 per month on average in May 2010; those working at colleges, universities and professional schools earned $4,425 per month; and those working for the executive branch of the federal government earned $6,459 per month.
  
  

Top States

• Income potential in any job can vary from one state to another due to factors such as differences in employment opportunities and costs of living. In May 2010, the highest-paying state for plant and soil scientists was Maryland, where the BLS says workers earned $7,378 per month. Workers in West Virginia earned $6,894 per month, and workers in Connecticut earned $6,428 per month.