How to become a Soil and Plant Scientist

Official title: Soil and Plant Scientists

Also called: Agronomist, Arboriculture Researcher, Crop Nutrition Scientist, Forage Physiologist, Horticulture Specialist, Plant Physiologist, Plant Research Geneticist, Research Scientist, Research Soil Scientist, Scientist

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.

Main tasks

• 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.

How to become one

Agricultural and food scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in animal science, food science, plant biology, or a related field. Employers may prefer or require a master's or doctoral degree.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Horticulturist.
• College: Science degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US
• Licence: A licence is required in 13 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $78,850 a year The middle half earn $61,660 to $103,740.
• About 19,900 people work in this job now, and about 21,300 are projected by 2035. (+6.7%)
• People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Related jobs

• Animal Scientists
• Food Scientists and Technologists
• Biochemists and Biophysicists
• Microbiologists
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
• Bioinformatics Scientists

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Soil and Plant Scientist?

Agricultural and food scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in animal science, food science, plant biology, or a related field. Employers may prefer or require a master's or doctoral degree.

How much does a Soil and Plant Scientist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $78,850 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $61,660 to $103,740.

Is a Soil and Plant Scientist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 19,900 to about 21,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Soil and Plant Scientist?

Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Soil and Plant Scientist?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.