The annual salary of a botanist can range anywhere from $45,000 to $85,000. It depends mainly on the organization, location of the job, and field experience of the professional.
Botany is a branch of biology that has greatly developed since early humans started studying plants for their medicinal and nutritional value. A person who scientifically studies plant life for a living, is known as a botanist. His job may involve extensive field work, at times in remote locations, and may also include a lot of laboratory work. To get into this profession, you need to have a great deal of fascination for plant life, and an innate interest in biology. A few other qualities that you might need are good data collection skills, and an acumen for data interpretation.
Qualification and Job Description
For an entry-level job as a botanist, you will at least need a Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. There are colleges which offer bachelor and master programs with sub specializations in sectors like horticulture, plant pathology, agronomy, forestry, etc. Students can also upgrade their education with a doctorate, and take up teaching jobs in universities.
These professionals are mostly hired by federal or state governments, teaching institutions, museums, etc., to undertake different work profiles. Their work can vary from studying a small algae specie and plant DNA, to working on a whole ecosystem. In laboratory work places, they could be required to study plant samples, plant cells, and work on finding their medicinal or nutritional values. On the field, they would have to study the plant’s natural environment, its life cycle, and the effects of different climatic conditions on its growth.
Average Salary
The salary of such professionals is quite remunerative; people having experience are known to earn upwards of $100,000. Although, the percentage of professionals earning this amount is as low as 10 percent. Almost 50 percent of salaries range between the figures of $45,000 and $85,000. Some entry-level jobs pay as much as $45,000 annually, for inexperienced candidates. Educational institutes also offer a good avenue for employment as professors, with salaries around $85,000. Research positions mostly open for post doctoral students, and have a higher remuneration. Experienced candidates in the research field are known to earn upwards of $95,000 annually.
| Position | Salary in USD |
| Research Technicians | 37,000 |
| Forensic Technician | 43,000 |
| Marine Botanist | 40,000 |
| High School Teacher | 48,000 |
| College Professor | 85,000 |
When you consider earning ranges according to different states, there are some variations. According to statistics, professionals with experience earn more in metropolitan areas than in rural settings. Here are state wise estimated salaries for these professionals.
| State | Salary in USD |
| New York | 90,000 |
| California | 80,000 |
| North Carolina | 75,000 |
| Texas | 74,000 |
| Michigan | 70,000 |
| Alaska | 63,000 |
The average salary in this field is quite similar to other biological science fields, such as zoology and ornithology. People with a liking for plant life and evolution, must consider this profession as a career option.