Soil and Plant Scientists in California
Want to work as a Soil and Plant Scientists in California? Here’s what the data says. 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 do Soil and Plant Scientists Make in California?
For soil and plant scientists working in California, wages run about $80,960 per year (or about $38.92/hour).Earnings range from $47,950 at the 10th percentile to $141,290 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| 25th percentile | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| Median (50th) | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| 75th percentile | $107,420 | $51.65 |
| 90th percentile | $141,290 | $67.93 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 0.88, meaning fewer soil and plant scientists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, soil and plant scientists earn a median of $59,587 per year ($28.65/hour), higher than the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 166,387 soil and plant scientists across the United States. In California alone, around 1,710 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 250 soil and plant scientists.
Top California Metros for Soil and Plant Scientists
The largest metro-area employers of soil and plant scientists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 300 | $78,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 210 | $96,540 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 170 | $80,610 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 160 | $86,180 |
| Fresno, CA | 100 | $94,580 |
| Napa, CA | 80 | $87,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 80 | $80,550 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 70 | $105,260 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 70 | $88,070 |
| Salinas, CA | 40 | $97,760 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 40 | $82,490 |
| Visalia, CA | 40 | $45,320 |
| Modesto, CA | 30 | $113,340 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 30 | $75,550 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 30 | $70,290 |
Top States for Soil and Plant Scientists Employment
These states have the highest employment of soil and plant scientists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 1,710 |
| Texas | 910 |
| Iowa | 770 |
| Nebraska | 770 |
| Wisconsin | 650 |
| Minnesota | 640 |
| North Carolina | 620 |
| Washington | 610 |
| Colorado | 530 |
| Indiana | 520 |
| Oregon | 490 |
| Georgia | 470 |
| Idaho | 430 |
| Michigan | 420 |
| South Dakota | 400 |
| North Dakota | 380 |
| Arizona | 340 |
| Kansas | 340 |
| Florida | 290 |
| Ohio | 270 |
Highest-Paying States for Soil and Plant Scientists
Where soil and plant scientists earn the most: soil and plant scientists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $100,820 |
| Idaho | $90,400 |
| Maine | $88,300 |
| Connecticut | $88,040 |
| New Jersey | $85,020 |
| Arkansas | $84,510 |
| Washington | $82,360 |
| California | $80,960 |
| Indiana | $79,820 |
| Mississippi | $79,790 |
Skills
Top soil and plant scientists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for soil and plant scientists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, soil and plant scientists typically:
- 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.
- Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.
- Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.
- Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
- Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.
- Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.
- Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Processing Information
- Getting Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Thinking Creatively
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, ESRI ArcGIS software In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- General Agriculture
- Plant Sciences
- Agricultural Production
- Soil Sciences
- Food Science Technology
- Botany/Plant Biology
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to soil and plant scientists include:
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
- Agricultural Engineers
- Animal Scientists
- Food Scientists and Technologists
- Microbiologists
- Biologists
Also Known As
Agricultural Specialist, Agriculturist, Agronomist, Apiculturist, Arboreal Scientist, Arboriculture Researcher, Arboriculturist, Arborist, Biological Science Technician (Biological Science Tech), Botanist, Corn Breeder, Cotton Breeder, Crop Nutrition Scientist, Crop Protection Research Agronomist, Entomologist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-1013.00
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