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.

$78,770
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+6% projected 2024–2034
Bachelor's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency, quality, and safety of agricultural and food production establishments.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Food Science and Technology(masters)Michigan State University, MI
$92,232
Food Science and Technology(masters)Kansas State University, KS
$90,394
Food Science and Technology(masters)University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
$89,713
Agriculture(masters)Washington State University, WA
$85,908
Food Science and Technology(masters)Purdue University-Main Campus, IN
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Oklahoma State University-Main Campus, OK
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)North Dakota State University-Main Campus, ND
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Oregon State University, OR
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Mississippi State University, MS
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)North Carolina State University at Raleigh, NC
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Illinois Institute of Technology, IL
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, CA
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Ohio State University-Main Campus, OH
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Clemson University, SC
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Brigham Young University, UT
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Cornell University, NY
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Drexel University, PA
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Alabama A & M University, AL
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Mount Mary University, WI
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Colorado State University-Fort Collins, CO
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, LA
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)Chapman University, CA
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)California State University-Fresno, CA
$85,889
Food Science and Technology(masters)New York University, NY
$85,889

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