Soil and Plant Scientists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Soil and Plant Scientists fall under the Life, Physical, and Social Science category in the U.S. occupational classification. Soil and Plant Scientists earn a median salary of $71,410 per year, ranking in the top 32% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +5.4% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do soil and plant scientists earn?

The median annual wage for soil and plant scientists is $71,410. That puts soil and plant scientists at #261 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is soil and plant scientists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for soil and plant scientists is +5.4%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 20K positions in 2024 to 21K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do soil and plant scientists do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working soil and plant scientists, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
2. 2.Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.
3. 3.Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
4. 4.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.
5. 5.Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
6. 6.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.
7. 7.Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
8. 8.Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.

Top skills for soil and plant scientists

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become soil and plant scientist?

The standard path into soil and plant scientists begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about soil and plant scientists