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Soil and Plant Scientists

Career Cluster

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Focuses on the essential elements of life: food, water, land, and air. This field includes careers like farming, ranching, geology, and more. It also encompasses jobs in the fields of wind, solar, oil, and gas.

Learn more about this cluster

At a glance

Recommended education
Recommended education
For this career, most jobs require this level of education. It may be possible to qualify for some jobs without this level of education. Recommendation provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Master's or doctorate degree
Projected growth
Projected growth

This is the expected change in employment for this career in the selected county or state. For example, if a career is expected to double from 100 jobs to 200 jobs, this would show 100%. Due to how projected growth is reported, similar careers may show the same percentage.

These numbers represent the latest 10-year projection period (2018-2028). Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

N/AN/A

Expected pay range

Expected pay range

This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Monthly cost of living

These numbers give you an idea of how much you can spend each month on common expenses with this salary. Percentages are the average a person with no children spends according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These numbers are a starting point and will differ person to person.

Monthly income (before taxes)
N/A
Housing (33%)
Housing
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on rent or mortgage, utilities, home or renters insurance, and home improvements. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Transportation (17%)
Transportation
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on car payments, auto insurance, public transportation, and ride shares, Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Food (13%)
Food
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on groceries and preparing meals at home. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Savings and retirement (12%)
Savings and retirement
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on 401(k), emergency funds, and life insurance. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Education and loans (10%)
Education and loans
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on continuing education and student loan debt. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Use the federal student loan estimator to estimate loan payments.
N/A
Healthcare and wellness (8%)
Healthcare and wellness
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on health insurance, co-pays, fitness memberships, and supplements. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Entertainment (5%)
Entertainment
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on shopping, dining out, and leisure activities. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Other expenses (2%)
Other expenses
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on clothing, personal care, and services. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A

Your actual expenses may differ from those listed. You’ll need to account for the amount taken out in taxes each month. Learn more about income tax expenses. Your student loan payments may also differ. To calculate your student loan payments, use the federal student loan repayment estimator.

About soil and plant scientists

Find programs for this career
What they do

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.

Other titles

Agronomist, Arboriculture Researcher, Crop Nutrition Scientist, Forage Physiologist, Horticulture Specialist, Plant Physiologist, Plant Research Geneticist, Research Scientist, Research Soil Scientist, Scientist

Skills they need

  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Licenses and Certifications they may hold

How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.

Certifications

Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications

Similar careers

View careers in the same field as soil and plant scientists.

Agricultural Engineers

Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.

Learn more
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

Learn more
Industrial Ecologists
In demand

In demand careers have high-growth, high-demand, and emerging jobs critical to Texas. They are based on economic indicators like in demand industries, labor market trends, and economic conditions, provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

Learn more
Hydrologists

Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.

Learn more