What You Need to Know About Soil and Plant Scientist
Soil & Plant Scientist Job Description 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.
A Day in the Life of a Soil & Plant Scientist
- Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the effects of alternative practices on the environment.
- Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.
- Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.
- 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.
- Conduct research into the use of plant species as green fuels or in the production of green fuels.
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Soil & Plant Scientist Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Soil and Plant Scientists say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Soil and Plant Scientist
- Pomologist
- On-Site Soil Evaluator
- Floriculturist
- Horticulturist
- Arborist
Job Opportunities for Soil and Plant Scientists
In the United States, there were 19,900 jobs for Soil and Plant Scientist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,800 new jobs for Soil and Plant Scientist by 2026. There will be an estimated 2,200 positions for Soil & Plant Scientist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Soil & Plant Scientist are Nevada, Kansas, and North Carolina. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Wyoming, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Soil & Plant Scientist Salary
The average yearly salary of a Soil & Plant Scientist ranges between $38,570 and $115,400.
Soil and Plant Scientists who work in Maryland, Massachusetts, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Soil and Plant Scientists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $63,130 |
| Alaska | $69,210 |
| Arizona | $74,420 |
| Arkansas | $75,440 |
| California | $80,710 |
| Colorado | $56,990 |
| Connecticut | $85,210 |
| Delaware | $56,870 |
| District of Columbia | $88,840 |
| Florida | $64,230 |
| Georgia | $65,820 |
| Hawaii | $68,550 |
| Idaho | $70,940 |
| Illinois | $58,950 |
| Indiana | $59,850 |
| Iowa | $79,650 |
| Kansas | $57,260 |
| Kentucky | $67,690 |
| Louisiana | $68,100 |
| Maine | $60,630 |
| Maryland | $98,880 |
| Massachusetts | $86,160 |
| Michigan | $54,800 |
| Minnesota | $74,130 |
| Mississippi | $90,700 |
| Missouri | $53,030 |
| Montana | $65,010 |
| Nebraska | $57,320 |
| Nevada | $71,490 |
| New Jersey | $71,730 |
| New Mexico | $57,840 |
| New York | $83,530 |
| North Carolina | $72,890 |
| North Dakota | $75,800 |
| Ohio | $56,220 |
| Oklahoma | $42,430 |
| Oregon | $69,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,440 |
| South Dakota | $59,200 |
| Tennessee | $56,980 |
| Texas | $68,150 |
| Utah | $59,590 |
| Virginia | $68,660 |
| Washington | $72,660 |
| West Virginia | $53,950 |
| Wisconsin | $59,560 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Soil and Plant Scientists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Soil and Plant Scientists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- SAS
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- R
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- STATISTICA
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- GAEA Technologies WinSieve
- SoilVision Systems SVOFFICE
How to Become a Soil & Plant Scientist
What education is needed to be a Soil and Plant Scientist?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Soil & Plant Scientist?
Who Employs Soil and Plant Scientists?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those who work as a Soil and Plant Scientist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: W.carter via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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