Prevailing Wage for Soil and Plant Scientists
Prevailing wage requirements for Soil and Plant Scientists are set by the DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data tied to the worksite location. Whether your title is Agronomist, Plant Physiologist, or Horticulture Specialist, the floor your H-1B, E-3, or green card employer must meet depends on four experience levels and the metro where you'll actually work.
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Level 1 applies to entry-level scientists performing routine soil or crop research tasks under close supervision, typically with a bachelor's degree and limited independent project responsibility. Employers filing at this level expect the worker to apply standard methods rather than design original research protocols.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for Soil and Plant Scientists. It fits workers with a completed degree and some independent research experience, applying established agronomic or plant-science methodologies with moderate supervision and occasional peer collaboration.
Level 3 covers experienced scientists who lead projects, interpret complex soil or crop data independently, and may oversee junior staff or field technicians. Workers typically hold an advanced degree or several years of post-degree research or applied agricultural science experience.
Level 4 reflects fully competent senior scientists, including those directing research programs, developing novel methodologies in plant breeding or soil chemistry, or serving as principal investigators. This level typically requires an advanced degree plus substantial independent research leadership.
Prevailing Wage for Soil and Plant Scientists by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Soil and Plant Scientists and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Soil and Plant Scientists
Watch for title aliasing in agricultural research roles
Employers sometimes post roles as Agronomist or Crop Scientist but file the LCA under a neighboring SOC such as Agricultural Engineer or Biochemist. If the SOC on your LCA does not match 19-1013, the prevailing wage floor for Soil and Plant Scientists no longer applies to your petition.
Flag California Central Valley positions early
Metros like Modesto and Salinas consistently post the highest prevailing wages for this occupation, reflecting dense agricultural employer concentration. An offer in those metros benchmarks significantly above the national median at every level, so confirm the LCA cites the correct California worksite county.
Distinguish base salary from research stipends before accepting
Some university extension programs and federal research stations supplement base pay with stipends, housing allowances, or grant-funded bonuses. DOL prevailing wage compliance is tested against base wages only, so verify the offer letter separates base pay clearly from supplemental research funding.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors with plant science history
Migrate Mate lists employers with documented H-1B and green card sponsorship history, letting you see which agribusiness companies, government research agencies, and universities have actually sponsored Soil and Plant Scientists before you apply.
Jobs for Soil and Plant Scientists are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Soil and Plant ScientistsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 19-1013.00 alongside Soil and Plant Scientists, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Agronomist Prevailing Wage
Agronomist Prevailing Wage
Agronomist positions fall under SOC 19-1013.00 (Soil and Plant Scientists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Arboriculture Researcher Prevailing Wage
Arboriculture Researcher Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Arboriculture Researcher for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-1013.00 (Soil and Plant Scientists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Crop Nutrition Scientist Prevailing Wage
Crop Nutrition Scientist Prevailing Wage
Crop Nutrition Scientist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 19-1013.00 (Soil and Plant Scientists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Forage Physiologist Prevailing Wage
Forage Physiologist Prevailing Wage
Forage Physiologist positions fall under SOC 19-1013.00 (Soil and Plant Scientists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Horticulture Specialist Prevailing Wage
Horticulture Specialist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Horticulture Specialist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-1013.00 (Soil and Plant Scientists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Plant Physiologist Prevailing Wage
Plant Physiologist Prevailing Wage
Plant Physiologist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 19-1013.00 (Soil and Plant Scientists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Plant Research Geneticist Prevailing Wage
Plant Research Geneticist Prevailing Wage
Plant Research Geneticist positions fall under SOC 19-1013.00 (Soil and Plant Scientists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Research Scientist Prevailing Wage
Research Scientist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Research Scientist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 19-1013.00 (Soil and Plant Scientists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Research Soil Scientist Prevailing Wage
Research Soil Scientist Prevailing Wage
Research Soil Scientist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 19-1013.00 (Soil and Plant Scientists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Scientist Prevailing Wage
Scientist Prevailing Wage
Scientist positions fall under SOC 19-1013.00 (Soil and Plant Scientists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Soil and Plant Scientists?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for SOC 19-1013 using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The wage reflects what employers in the same geographic area pay workers in comparable roles. Employers must certify on the Labor Condition Application that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable prevailing wage before USCIS adjudicates an H-1B or E-3 petition.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
OFLC assigns four levels based on experience, supervision, and job complexity. Level 1 is entry-level work under close supervision; Level 2 is qualified work with some independence; Level 3 covers experienced workers who lead projects or staff; Level 4 is fully competent senior scope. Review the LCA your employer files, which must state the wage level, and compare the job duties described in your offer letter against those definitions to verify alignment.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much by city?
DOL bases prevailing wages on regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so wages reflect actual local employer pay practices rather than a national average. Agricultural research hubs like Modesto or San Jose in California report significantly higher wage floors than smaller markets because of concentrated agribusiness and university employers competing for talent. The LCA must cite the actual worksite metro, so a remote or multi-site arrangement requires careful location classification.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
DOL will not certify a Labor Condition Application where the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite. Without a certified LCA, USCIS will deny the H-1B or E-3 petition. If the underpayment is discovered after employment begins, the employer faces back-wage liability and potential debarment from future sponsorship. Candidates should request a copy of the certified LCA before starting work.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 19-1013 wages filtered by metropolitan statistical area. Select the relevant metro, the Level 1 through Level 4 category matching your experience, and confirm the wage period. Migrate Mate can help you identify which employers have historically sponsored plant scientists in specific metros, giving you a practical starting point before you negotiate an offer or request the LCA from a prospective employer.
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