Salary Range
$25,000 to $100,000+Overview
Soil scientists study the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of soils to determine the most productive and effective planting strategies. Their research aids in producing larger, healthier crops and more environmentally sound farming procedures. There are approximately 17,800 soil and plant scientists employed in the United States.
Minimum Education Level
Bachelor's DegreeCertification/License
RecommendedOutlook
Faster than the AveragePersonality Traits
Curious
Problem-Solving
Scientific
Career Ladder
Research Director or College Professor
Soil Scientist
Soil Science Technician
Related Professions
- Agribusiness Technicians
- Agricultural Consultants
- Agricultural Equipment Technicians
- Agricultural Pilots
- Agricultural Scientists
- Air Quality Engineers
- Animal Breeders and Technicians
- Animal Caretakers
- Animal Physical Therapists
- Aquaculturists
- Aquarists
- Arborists
- Archaeologists
- Archivists
- Astrogeologists
- Beekeepers
- Biochemists
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biologists
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Biosecurity Monitors
- Botanists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Cartographers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Chief Sustainability Officers
- Civil Engineers
- Climate Scientists
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- CRISPR Scientists
- Dairy Products Manufacturing Workers
- Drug Developers
- Ecologists
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Environmental Economists
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- Environmental Technicians
- EPA Special Agents
- Epigenetics Researchers
- Ethical Sourcing Officer
- Farm Crop Production Technicians
- Farm Equipment Mechanics
- Farmers
- Farmers' Market Managers/Promoters
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Fishers
- Food Technologists
- Forensic Experts
- Forensic Meteorologists
- Forest Fire Prevention Specialists
- Foresters
- Forestry Technicians
- Genetic Engineers
- Genetic Scientists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geographers
- Geographic Information Systems Specialists
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geospatial Analytics Specialists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Grain Merchants
- Green Builders
- Green Hotel/Resort Ecomanagers
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Green Transportation Careers
- Grounds Managers
- Groundwater Professionals
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialists
- Hazardous Waste Management Technicians
- Historians
- Horticultural Inspectors
- Horticultural Technicians
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Industrial Ecologists
- Laboratory Technicians and Technologists
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Landscape Architects
- Landscapers
- Logging Industry Workers
- Marine Biologists
- Meatcutters and Meat Packers
- Meteorologists
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Microbiologists
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Museum Directors and Curators
- National Park Service Employees
- Naturalists
- Nursery Owners and Managers
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Oceanographers
- Organic Farmers
- Paleontologists
- Paper Processing Workers
- Park Rangers
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacologists
- Range Managers
- Recreation Workers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Recycling Coordinators
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Rewilders
- Soil Conservationists and Technicians
- Space Meteorologist
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Tobacco Products Industry Workers
- Toxicologists
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Wildland Firefighters
- Wood Science and Technology Workers
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors
- Zoologists