Career-PathGPS
← All education and training
Career

Soil and Plant Scientists

Typical education: Master's degreeModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $78,850 Median per year · $37.91/hr Most earn $48,680–$138,120

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Plan or supervise land conservation or reclamation programs for industrial development projects.
  • 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 investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.
  • Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.
  • Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
  • Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
7% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 1,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Crop production15.7%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools13.3%
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services11.1%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences10.8%
  • Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods9.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Master's degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Soil and Plant Scientist is not an entry-level job. Most people need a master's degree and about 2 to 4 years of related work experience, so the path usually takes roughly 6 to 10 years after high school.

  1. Bachelor's degree in plant science, soil science, or agronomy

    4 years

    You learn how plants grow, how soils work, and how to run field and lab experiments, which builds the base for graduate study.

  2. Conservation Scientist

    1-2 years

    You gain hands-on experience in land and soil management, working with real fields and farms, and learn how research is applied in the real world.

  3. Master's degree in soil science, crop science, or plant breeding

    2 years

    You do focused research on a specific question, learn data analysis, and often publish or present your findings.

  4. Soil and Plant Scientist

    Ongoing

    You design and run research on crops, soils, and pests, and you may classify and map soils or test farming practices for yield and soil health.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Research Scientist

    3-5 years of experience first

    You lead bigger projects, mentor junior scientists, and often write grant proposals, which usually means showing a strong track record of results.

  2. Research Program Manager

    5+ years of experience first

    You plan and oversee several research projects at once, manage budgets and staff, and set research priorities for a team or organization.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and earth scienceThese classes give you the basics of how plants, soils, and nutrients interact.
  • Join FFA or a 4-H agriculture projectHands-on crop, animal, or soil projects build practical skills and show you how farming works.
  • Enter a science fair with a plant or soil projectDesigning your own experiment, like testing fertilizer on plant growth, teaches the research steps this career uses.
  • Get a summer job on a farm, nursery, or garden centerWorking with plants and soil daily shows you whether you enjoy the work and gives you early experience.
  • Take math and statistics if offeredResearch careers depend on analyzing data, so strong math skills will help you in college and graduate school.

In college

  • Major in plant science, soil science, or agronomyThese majors cover crop growth, soil chemistry, and field methods, which are the core of graduate study in this field.
  • Work in a professor's research labHelping with real experiments teaches you research methods and gives you the references and experience that graduate programs look for.
  • Take statistics and GIS or data analysis coursesAnalyzing field data and mapping soils are common tasks in this career, so these skills make you a stronger candidate.
  • Join a student agronomy or soil science clubClubs offer networking, competitions, and chances to meet professionals who can advise you on graduate school.
  • Look for a seasonal field technician job or internshipPaid field work with a university, extension service, or agricultural company builds the experience employers expect before a master's or first full-time role.

Tips for getting started

  • Get real field or lab experience early, such as summer farm work, a university research lab, or a county extension program, since employers look for hands-on skills.
  • Learn basic data tools like Excel, R, or GIS mapping software, because soil and crop research relies heavily on data.
  • Talk to working soil or crop scientists, such as extension agents or university professors, to learn what their days look like and which graduate programs they recommend.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

Related careers