How Much Does a Horticulturist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$78,850
Horticulturists in the U.S. earn a median of $78,850 a year, or $37.91 an hour. Half of horticulturists earn more than $78,850 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $138,120.
Pay percentiles for horticulturists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23.41 | $48,680 |
| 25th | $29.65 | $61,660 |
| 50th (median) | $37.91 | $78,850 |
| 75th | $49.88 | $103,740 |
| 90th | $66.40 | $138,120 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Soil and Plant Scientists (SOC 19-1013). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for horticulturists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $107,140 | $51.51 | +36% |
| Florida | $103,240 | $49.64 | +31% |
| Alaska | $100,320 | $48.23 | +27% |
| Iowa | $96,310 | $46.30 | +22% |
| Idaho | $95,150 | $45.75 | +21% |
| New Jersey | $91,970 | $44.22 | +17% |
| California | $91,930 | $44.20 | +17% |
| Oregon | $85,150 | $40.94 | +8% |
| Maryland | $85,020 | $40.87 | +8% |
| Hawaii | $84,390 | $40.57 | +7% |
| United States | $78,850 | $37.91 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many horticulturists are there?
BLS counts about 15,730 horticulturists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Soil and Plant Scientists”. The most jobs are in California (1,440), Iowa (960) and Illinois (820).
The mean (average) annual wage is $87,720, higher than the median of $78,850.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,571
- Biweekly
- $3,033
- Weekly
- $1,516
- Daily (8 hours)
- $303
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do horticulturists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for horticulturists is $37.91. The middle 50% earn between $29.65 and $49.88 an hour.
Which state pays horticulturists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for horticulturists at $107,140, +36% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for horticulturists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of horticulturists earn less than $48,680 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.