What Do Soil and Plant Scientist Do?
Job Description & Duties 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
- Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.
- Conduct research into the use of plant species as green fuels or in the production of green fuels.
- Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.
- Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
- Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.
- Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.
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Soil & Plant Scientist Skills
These are the skills Soil and Plant Scientists say are the most useful in their careers:
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
- Arboreal Scientist
- Horticulturist
- Floriculturist
- Viticulturist
- Scientist Propagator
Is There Job Demand 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. The BLS estimates 2,200 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Do Soil and Plant Scientists Make A Lot Of Money?
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.
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists make 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Soil and Plant Scientists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Soil and Plant Scientists may use on a daily basis:
- 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
Becoming a Soil & Plant Scientist
What education or degrees do I need to become a Soil and Plant Scientist?
What work experience do I need to become a Soil & Plant Scientist?
Where Soil and Plant Scientists Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Soil and Plant Scientists employed by various industries.
Related Careers
Career changers with experience as a Soil and Plant Scientist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
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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