Soil and Plant Scientists: salary, outlook & degrees
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.
Middle half $61,660–$103,740. 15,730 jobs.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Census ACS 2020-2024 microdata, workers with at least a high school diploma; EducationGuide calculation
About 1,400 openings a year, including replacements.
BLS Employment Projections 2025-35
Extensive preparation (usually a graduate degree).
BLS; O*NET 31.0 job zone
Education workers say the job requires
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers (“required level of education”); small samples, so treat shares as approximate.
Pay by state and metro
| State | Median wage |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $107,140 |
| Florida | $103,240 |
| Alaska | $100,320 |
| Iowa | $96,310 |
| Idaho | $95,150 |
| New Jersey | $91,970 |
| California | $91,930 |
| Oregon | $85,150 |
| Maryland | $85,020 |
| Hawaii | $84,390 |
| Arizona | $83,840 |
| Indiana | $80,030 |
| Washington | $79,970 |
| Minnesota | $79,610 |
| Illinois | $79,490 |
| South Carolina | $78,850 |
| Maine | $78,250 |
| New York | $77,800 |
| Nebraska | $77,500 |
| North Carolina | $76,330 |
| Missouri | $76,080 |
| Colorado | $75,430 |
| Montana | $73,920 |
| Virginia | $73,920 |
| South Dakota | $73,590 |
| Mississippi | $72,690 |
| Nevada | $71,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,550 |
| Massachusetts | $69,880 |
| New Mexico | $69,480 |
| Connecticut | $67,630 |
| Kentucky | $67,340 |
| Wisconsin | $66,200 |
| Kansas | $65,670 |
| Michigan | $65,390 |
| North Dakota | $65,320 |
| Delaware | $65,310 |
| Georgia | $65,170 |
| Oklahoma | $63,910 |
| Alabama | $63,010 |
| Tennessee | $61,950 |
| Louisiana | $60,200 |
| Utah | $59,900 |
| Vermont | $58,220 |
| Ohio | $56,820 |
| Wyoming | $55,680 |
| PR | $38,980 |
Largest metro areas for this job
- Des Moines-West Des Moines IA$132,290
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI$79,610
- Boise City ID$90,610
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro OR-WA$94,940
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN$80,360
- Fargo ND-MN$65,320
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV$95,870
- Fort Collins-Loveland CO$67,330
- Lansing-East Lansing MI$65,390
- Madison WI$73,510
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA$82,490
- Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom CA$98,340
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: median annual wage, all workers in the job. Metro areas: the largest by employment.
What the work takes
Top skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge used
- Biology
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
Work styles
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Attention to Detail
- Innovation
- Dependability
- Adaptability
People in this job tend to have Investigative (analytical), Realistic (hands-on) interests.
O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0): skills and knowledge by importance; work styles; interest high points.
Soil and Plant Scientists: questions
How much do soil and Plant Scientists make?
Soil and Plant Scientists earn a U.S. median $78,850 a year; the middle half earn $61,660 to $103,740 (BLS, May 2025).
Is soil and Plant Scientists a growing field?
BLS projects growth of 6.7% from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,400 openings a year, including replacements.
What degree do you need to be a soil and Plant Scientist?
BLS lists the typical entry education as bachelor's degree. In O*NET's survey, 91% of workers say a bachelor's or higher is required.
How much do soil and Plant Scientists make in Florida?
The median in Florida is $103,240 a year (BLS, May 2025), compared with $78,850 nationally.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35); O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); U.S. Census Bureau ACS microdata. SOC 19-1013. Method
Data: JSON · Markdown · all careers
Cite this: “Soil and Plant Scientists: salary, outlook and degrees,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/careers/soil-and-plant-scientists.