Soil and Plant Scientists

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources · Plant Systems

Bright outlookJob zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 19-1013.00

Pay and outlook shown for

median pay per year, United States (no San Antonio figure is published for this career)

$49k10th$79kMedian$138k90th

New workers start near $48,680; experienced workers reach $138,120. About 15,730 people do this job in United States.

Job outlook

Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.

Employment change: +20.0%; Alamo region, 50 to 60 jobs · U.S. +5%
Openings a year: 5; in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 1,700
Employed in 2024: 50; in the Alamo region · U.S. 20,700

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Alamo Colleges programs that lead here

2 programs, with the college that teaches each.

Apply to Alamo Colleges

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

Reading Comprehension5.0
Science4.9
Speaking4.6
Active Learning4.5
Critical Thinking4.4
Writing4.4
Complex Problem Solving4.3
Active Listening4.1

What the work is

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.

Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
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.
Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
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.
Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

Certificate5%
Associate degree5%
Bachelor's degree29%
Master's degree33%
Doctoral or professional29%

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

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