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Soil and Plant Scientists
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.
Other titles employers use
Agronomist · Arboriculture Researcher · Crop Nutrition Scientist · Forage Physiologist · Horticulture Specialist · Plant Physiologist · Plant Research Geneticist · Research Scientist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
- Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
- Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
- Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
- Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
- Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
Subjects to know
- Biology
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.4 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.9 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.5 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 33%
- A doctorate or professional degree 33%
- A four-year degree 24%
- A certificate or some college 5%
- A two-year degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Geographic information system
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Web platform development software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,100
- Job openings each year
- 180
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 14.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 2,100 | 180 | 14.1% |
| California | 1,900 | 160 | 11.8% |
| Iowa | 1,590 | 130 | 6.0% |
| Washington | 1,110 | 130 | 29.1% |
| Michigan | 740 | 60 | 2.8% |
| Nebraska | 740 | 60 | 7.2% |
| Oregon | 660 | 60 | 11.9% |
| Colorado | 620 | 50 | 19.2% |
| Florida | 600 | 50 | 17.6% |
| Illinois | 590 | 50 | 1.7% |
| Wisconsin | 570 | 50 | 9.6% |
| Montana | 530 | 50 | 17.8% |
| Texas | 500 | 40 | 11.1% |
| South Dakota | 480 | 40 | 14.3% |
| Georgia | 420 | 40 | 13.5% |
| Virginia | 410 | 30 | 5.1% |
| North Dakota | 400 | 30 | 5.3% |
| Minnesota | 380 | 30 | 5.6% |
| Kansas | 360 | 30 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | 360 | 30 | 2.9% |
| Missouri | 340 | 30 | 9.7% |
| New York | 320 | 0 | 10.3% |
| South Carolina | 320 | 30 | 10.3% |
| Arizona | 270 | 20 | 12.5% |
| Oklahoma | 260 | 20 | 4.0% |
| Puerto Rico | 250 | 20 | 13.6% |
| Maryland | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Tennessee | 230 | 20 | 15.0% |
| Idaho | 220 | 20 | 10.0% |
| Indiana | 210 | 20 | 10.5% |
| Alabama | 190 | 20 | 5.6% |
| Arkansas | 170 | 10 | 13.3% |
| Kentucky | 170 | 10 | 6.3% |
| Delaware | 150 | 10 | 15.4% |
| New Mexico | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 140 | 10 | — |
| Mississippi | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| New Jersey | 100 | 10 | — |
| Connecticut | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Utah | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| District of Columbia | 70 | 10 | — |
| Louisiana | 60 | 10 | — |
| Rhode Island | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Alaska | 40 | 0 | — |
| Maine | 40 | 0 | — |
| Nevada | 40 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 20 | 0 | — |
| Wyoming | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Oregon State University
- Degrees each year
- 207
- Admit rate
- 79%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college IAIowa State University
- Degrees each year
- 129
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college TXWest Texas A & M University
- Degrees each year
- 118
- Admit rate
- 97%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college COColorado State University-Fort Collins
- Degrees each year
- 114
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college NCNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Degrees each year
- 153
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college NEUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Degrees each year
- 123
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college CACalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Degrees each year
- 167
- Admit rate
- 30%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college CACalifornia State University-Fresno
- Degrees each year
- 111
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college