Occupation · SOC 19-1013
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
—
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
—
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
332 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
BiologyEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsChemistryMathematics
Technology & tools
Analytical or scientific softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareGeographic information systemCategorization or classification softwareMap creation software
Representative 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.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.Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or pests.Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.Survey undisturbed or disturbed lands for classification, inventory, mapping, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection planning, conservation planning, or reclamation planning.Plan or supervise waste management programs for composting or farming.Research technical requirements or environmental impacts of urban green spaces, such as green roof installations.Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.Study insect distribution or habitat and recommend methods to prevent importation or spread of injurious species.Plan or supervise land conservation or reclamation programs for industrial development projects.Conduct research into the use of plant species as green fuels or in the production of green fuels.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Soil sampling protocols — execute under faculty or senior scientist supervision at established field research sites to collect baseline data.Scientific literature on soil chemistry and plant physiology — review and summarize to support ongoing laboratory experiments.Standard laboratory instruments and analytical software — operate under direct guidance to measure soil nutrient levels and physical properties.Experimental data from crop trials — record and organize using spreadsheet software according to established protocols.Geographic information system tools — apply under supervision to map basic soil classifications across assigned study areas.Research findings on soil or plant topics — present in structured seminar settings under faculty mentorship.Degraded or contaminated soil samples — identify and categorize using established classification software and reference criteria.Statistical methods and data analysis packages — apply to process experimental results from field and greenhouse trials.Field observations on plant growth responses — document systematically and report to supervising scientists using standardized templates.Technical writing conventions for scientific reports — follow to draft sections of manuscripts, grant proposals, or extension materials under close review.
developing
Soil management recommendations — develop and deliver to farmers or landowners based on site-specific soil surveys and productivity data.Plant growth experiments — design and execute with reduced oversight to evaluate variety responses to environmental stressors in controlled greenhouse settings.Soil erosion problems and water quality issues — investigate using field sampling and laboratory analysis to determine sources and propose corrective measures.GIS and map creation software — apply independently to produce spatial analyses illustrating soil degradation patterns across agricultural landscapes.Field crop trial data — analyze using statistical and analytical software to draw conclusions about yield, disease resistance, and quality outcomes.Soil conservation methods — adapt established best practices to local farming or forestry conditions and communicate findings to landowner groups.Soil management experiments — conduct to evaluate how alternative practices affect long-term productivity and chemical or biological characteristics.Technical presentations and extension workshops — prepare and deliver to professional audiences communicating research results from completed studies.Remediation plans for chemically impaired soils — draft using integrated knowledge of soil chemistry, biology, and engineering principles.Collaborative research teams — contribute as a working member by sharing data, troubleshooting methodology, and supporting peer review processes.
proficient
Multi-year field crop breeding experiments — design and lead autonomously to develop improved varieties with targeted traits such as drought tolerance or enhanced nutritional value.Soil use capability assessments — conduct across diverse land types and deliver comprehensive management recommendations to agricultural or forestry clients.Complex soil contamination investigations — direct from sampling design through root-cause analysis, integrating chemistry, biology, and hydrology data.Soil rehabilitation plans — develop for degraded landscapes by specifying chemical amendments, biological inoculants, and physical restoration strategies.Plant–environment interaction mechanisms — investigate through hypothesis-driven experimentation, publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals.Advanced GIS, CAD, and remote sensing tools — integrate to model soil health trends and forecast land productivity under climate change scenarios.Non-routine agronomic and soil science problems — resolve by synthesizing cross-disciplinary knowledge and applying original analytical frameworks.Research courses, graduate seminars, and professional workshops — teach to advanced students and practitioners in university or agency settings.Soil and plant science methodology — evaluate and refine by critically assessing existing literature and identifying gaps warranting new experimental approaches.Landowner and agency advisory consultations — lead independently to translate complex research into actionable soil and crop management strategies.
advanced
Long-term soil and plant science research programs — direct at institutional scale, setting strategic priorities and securing major grant funding.National or international soil conservation policy — influence by translating research evidence into recommendations for regulatory agencies and agricultural bodies.Interdisciplinary research collaborations — establish across universities, government agencies, and industry partners to address complex land and food system challenges.Next-generation crop improvement frameworks — architect by integrating genomic, agronomic, and climate data to guide breeding program directions.Institutional knowledge systems and research infrastructure — develop including laboratory facilities, field stations, and data platforms serving the broader scientific community.Early-career scientists, graduate students, and extension professionals — mentor systematically by designing training pathways and cultivating independent research capability.Organizational approaches to soil degradation and food security — shape by synthesizing systems-level evidence and leading high-stakes decision-making processes.Scientific communication strategy — lead across peer-reviewed publication, public media, and policy briefings to maximize societal impact of soil and plant research.Professional standards and ethical guidelines for soil and plant science — establish by contributing to disciplinary societies, accreditation bodies, and regulatory review panels.Emerging technologies such as precision agriculture sensors and AI-driven soil analytics — evaluate and champion adoption across research institutions and agricultural sectors.
Also known as
68 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Pest Management Craftsman (Air Force 3E473)Public Health Officer, Medical Entomologist (Air Force 43H4E)Public Health Officer (Air Force 43H4)Public Health Officer (Air Force 43HX)Plant Research GeneticistResearch PhysiologistCorn BreederFloriculturistPest Management Helper (Air Force 3E413)Agricultural SpecialistResearch AgronomistPreventive Medicine Sciences (Army 67C)Plant PathologistCrop Protection Research AgronomistArboriculturistPublic Health Officer, Medical Entomologist (Air Force 43H1E)BotanistPest Management (Air Force 3E4X3)Forage PhysiologistEntomology (Army 72B)Plant BreederArboreal ScientistWholesale AgronomistSoil Fertility Extension SpecialistSoil Technician (Soil Tech)Horticultural SpecialistResearch Soil ScientistBiological Science Technician (Biological Science Tech)Technical AgronomistSoil ExpertAgronomistPlant ScientistHybrid Corn BreederHorticulturistPest Management Apprentice (Air Force 3E433)Field AgronomistViticulturistMicrobiology Soil ScientistPrecision AgronomistMedical Service Corps Officer (Army 67)