Soil Scientist
Agriculture & Farming
A program that generally focuses on the scientific classification of soils, soil properties, and their relationship to agricultural crops.
What Soil Scientists Do
A program that generally focuses on the scientific classification of soils, soil properties, and their relationship to agricultural crops.
Common Tasks
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- 1Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- 2Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- 3Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- 4Supervise laboratory sessions and field work and coordinate laboratory operations.
- 5Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
What You'll Learn
Types of Soil Scientists
Work Environment
Locations
- • Agricultural research labs
- • Farms and crop fields
- • Government conservation and extension offices
- • Environmental and agronomy consulting firms
- • Universities and research stations
Schedule
Work schedules are often regular but can shift with weather, planting/harvest windows, and project deadlines, with occasional travel for field sampling.
Physical Demands
The job mixes desk/lab work with fieldwork that involves walking on uneven ground, carrying sampling gear, and handling soil and water samples. Standing and light-to-moderate lifting are common, with occasional bending or crouching during sampling.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 50,000 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand may rise as farms and land managers seek higher yields with fewer inputs and better soil health. More work is also driven by erosion control, water-quality concerns, and climate-resilience planning for agriculture and natural resources.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Work that directly impacts food production and environmental quality
- • Variety of settings (lab, field, office)
- • Opportunities in government, private industry, and academia
- • Strong median pay in scientist and teaching roles
- • Good fit for people who enjoy data and problem-solving
Cons
- • Fieldwork can be uncomfortable in heat, cold, mud, or dust
- • Schedules can change with weather and seasonal demands
- • Some roles require advanced degrees for advancement
- • Grant and budget cycles can affect research jobs
- • Travel to farms or remote sites may be frequent
Common Questions About the Soil Scientist Trade
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