Conservation Scientists
Median wage · national
$73,010
Range: $58K – $92K
Employed
26K
Openings/yr
3K
Typically: bachelor's degree
TRADES
Soil and Plant Scientists
Soil and Plant Scientists earn $78,850 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $61,660 and $103,740. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Soil and Plant Scientists
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.
- Median Wage
- $78,850
- Employed Nationally
- 16K
- Openings / Year
- 1,700
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Agricultural Specialist
Agriculturist
Agronomist
Apiculturist
Arboreal Scientist
How Much Do Soil and Plant Scientists Make?
Soil and Plant Scientists earn $78,850 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,660 and $103,740. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$78,850
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$62K–$104K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$61,660
Entry-level
$78,850
Median
$103,740
Experienced
What Do Soil and Plant Scientists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Soil and Plant Scientists roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Science
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Soil and Plant Scientists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Soil and Plant Scientists?
The BLS projects +5.4% employment change for Soil and Plant Scientists through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 1,700 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +5.4%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
1,700
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
16K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Soil and Plant Scientists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $78,850 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,710 | $80,960 | +2.7% |
| 2 | Texas | 910 | — | — |
| 3 | Iowa | 770 | $72,440 | -8.1% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 770 | $67,150 | -14.8% |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 650 | $63,770 | -19.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Soil and Plant Scientists positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 6 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agricultural Production Operations | 3,522 | $53,588 | 283 |
| 2 | Plant Sciences | 3,307 | $56,567 | 157 |
| 3 | Agriculture | 3,256 | $53,676 | 188 |
| 4 | Food Science and Technology | 2,181 | $70,873 | 162 |
| 5 | Botany | 743 | $49,245 | 80 |
| 6 | Soil Sciences | 439 | $62,122 | 41 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Soil and Plant Scientists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 2 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 3 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 4 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | 90 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| 5 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CA | 90 | $1,947 | $36,119 |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL | 89 | $14,355 | $81,054 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Soil and Plant Scientists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Soil and Plant Scientists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Soil and Plant Scientists Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Soil and Plant Scientists a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $78,850 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +5.4% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $103,740 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Extensive preparation before reaching full earning potential This is a Job Zone 5 occupation, extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $78,850 median while building the experience employers require.
Soil and Plant Scientists Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Soil and Plant Scientists is $78,850, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,660 and $103,740. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Soil and Plant Scientists a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $78,850 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Job growth of +5.4% through 2034 means demand is real. The harder question is whether the education investment at your specific program will pay off. School selection matters enormously at this preparation level.
How long does it take to become a Soil and Plant Scientists?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Agricultural Production Operations are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $78,850 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Soil and Plant Scientists?
The BLS projects +5.4% employment change for Soil and Plant Scientists through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 1,700 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 16K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Soil and Plant Scientists professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Soil and Plant Scientists roles: Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, and Science. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
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- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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