Soil Scientist

Career Overview

Soil scientists analyze soil to help make farming more productive by studying every aspect of the soil including the chemicals and minerals in the soil and the best way to water and fertilize the soil. They look for the best use of land and how to minimize erosion.

Education

A four-year bachelor's degree in plant science, botany, environmental science, or a related field is necessary to obtain this position. A higher degree (master's or doctorate) in a related field, which may take an additional two-five years to earn, would be more valuable.

Future Outlook

Overall employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow as research into agricultural production methods and techniques continues.

Work Environment

Agricultural and food scientists work in laboratories, in offices, and in the field. Most agricultural and food scientists work full time.

Recommended High School Courses

Communication
Environmental science
Computer Applications
Agronomy
Horticulture
Plants & Soil Science

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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.
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.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Develop agricultural methods.
Research sustainable agricultural processes or practices.
Advise others about land management or conservation.
Research hydrologic features or processes.
Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.
Research crop management methods.
Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior.
Plan natural resources conservation or restoration programs.
Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.
Analyze biological samples.
Research diseases or parasites.
Research geological features or processes.
Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
Survey land or properties.
Direct natural resources management or conservation programs.
Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.

Schools

Alvernia University

American University

Antioch College

Appalachian State Univers...

Arkansas Tech University

Assumption College

Auburn University

Ave Maria University

Ball State University

Bates College

Baylor University

Belmont University

Bemidji State University

Bethel University

Bowling Green State Unive...

Bradley University

Brandeis University

Broward College

Bryant University

California Lutheran Unive...

California State Universi...

Campellsville University

Central Methodist Univers...

New College Of Florida

Oregon State University

Texas A & M University- C...

Texas A & M University- K...

University Of Arkansas- F...

University Of Maine- Oron...

University Of Maryland -...

University Of Rhode Islan...

University Of Tennessee-...

West Texas A & M Universi...

Bishop's University

Brandon University

Canadian Mennonite Uni...

King's University

Nipissing University

University Of British...

University Of Calgary

University Of Guelph

University Of Saskatch...

University Of Toronto-...

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

- Traditional Fulbright P...

Approx Salary Expectation

Currency:

Low End:

$39,280.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$63,200.00 /yr

High End:

$118,830.00 /yr

Related Careers

Well Site Supervisor

Environmental Scientists

Agricultural & Food Scientists

Farmers & Ranchers

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.