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Plant Scientist Salary in Illinois, United States
How much does a Plant Scientist make in Illinois, United States?
$66,299 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$1,061 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$66,583.78
Entry Level
$48,765
Median
$65,523
Senior Level
$75,204
As of July, 23, 2026, the average plant scientist gross salary in Illinois, United States is $66,299 or an equivalent hourly rate of $32. In addition, plant scientists earn an average bonus of $1,061. An entry level plant scientist with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $48,765. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level plant scientist with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $75,204. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in Illinois, United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Plant Scientist
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Plant Scientist in Illinois, United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Plant Scientist will be $68,069 in 1 year and $75,637 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$69,887
Average Growth
5.4 %
The estimated salary for a Plant Scientist in 2 years is $69,887, which is 5.4 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Plant Scientist Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Plant Scientists.
- 0% of Plant Scientists have less than a High School Diploma
- 11% of Plant Scientists have a High School Diploma
- 0% of Plant Scientists have an Associate's Degree
- 11% of Plant Scientists have a Bachelor's Degree
- 56% of Plant Scientists have a Master's Degree
- 22% of Plant Scientists have a Doctorate Degree
Popular Skills for a Plant Scientist
Response Analysis
100%
Conducts experiments
100%
Notices differences
100%
Nurtures plants
100%
These are the most popular skills for Plant Scientists. About 100% of Plant Scientists have a skill in Response Analysis. The top 3 most popular skills for Plant Scientists are response analysis, conducts experiments, and notices differences.
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Plant Scientist Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in Illinois, United States
Data not available.
Plant Scientist Jobs
View moreCost of Living in Illinois, United States
The cost of living in Illinois, United States is 4% higher than the national average.
4% higher
than the national average
Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Plant Scientist do?
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
How much does a Plant Scientist make in Illinois, United States?
The average salary for a Plant Scientist is $66,299 per year or $31.87 per hour in Illinois, United States. Top earners have reported making up to $75,204. However, the typical pay range in Illinois, United States is between $48,765 and $75,204 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Plant Scientist?
Plant Scientist is projected to see a 14.1 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Plant Scientist salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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