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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Soil and Plant Scientists

Median Salary
68,240
Job Outlook
+8%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,100 openings for agricultural and food scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$34,060

10%

$68,240

Median

$106,190

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Master's degree

    28%

  • Bachelor's degree

    23%

  • Doctoral degree

    19%

  • Associate's degree

    4%

  • Post baccalaureate

    4%

  • Post-doctoral training

    4%

  • Post-master's certificate

    4%

  • First professional degree

    4%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    4%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Agriculture, General
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Horticultural Science
  • Plant Sciences, Other
  • Plant Sciences, General
  • Botany/Plant Biology
  • Plant Pathology/Phytopathology
  • Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
  • Viticulture and Enology
  • Soil Science and Agronomy, General
  • Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management
  • Range Science and Management
  • Soil Sciences, Other
  • Plant Molecular Biology
  • Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding
  • Botany/Plant Biology, Other
  • Plant Physiology
  • Soil Chemistry and Physics

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Leadership

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Education and Training
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Chemistry

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.