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Soil and Plant Scientist

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What You Need to Know About Soil and Plant Scientist

Soil & Plant Scientist Job Description 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.

Soil & Plant Scientist Responsibilities

  • Plan or supervise waste management programs for composting or farming.
  • Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.
  • Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.
  • Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
  • Plan or supervise land conservation or reclamation programs for industrial development projects.
  • 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.

Things a Soil & Plant Scientist Should Know How to Do

Soil and Plant Scientists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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

  • Pomologist
  • Extension Specialist
  • Crop Nutrition Scientist
  • Arborist
  • Corn Breeder

Are There Job Opportunities 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. There will be an estimated 2,200 positions for Soil & Plant Scientist per year.

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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.

Average Soil and Plant Scientists Salary

The typical yearly salary for Soil and Plant Scientists is somewhere between $38,570 and $115,400.

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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?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Soil and Plant Scientists:

  • 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

Individuals working as a Soil and Plant Scientist have obtained the following education levels:

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What work experience do I need to become a Soil & Plant Scientist?

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Soil and Plant Scientists Sector

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Below are examples of industries where Soil and Plant Scientists work:

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

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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