Agricultural Scientists

Employers

According to the Department of Labor, approximately 19,900 soil and plant scientists, 17,000 food scientists and technologists, and 6,100 animal scientists are employed in the United States. Agricultural scientists work primarily in education, manufacturing, and for federal, state, and local governments. They work within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and for regional extension agencies and soil conservation departments. Scientists with doctorates may work on the faculty of colleges and universities. Researchers work for chemical and pharmaceutical companies, and with agribusiness and consulting firms. Agricultural scientists also work in the food processing industry.