Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
None
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Soil and plant scientists work in a specialized scientific field that combines strong analytical skills with a focus on plants, soils, and related systems. Nationally, about 21,000 people are employed in this occupation, indicating a relatively focused professional community. The national median annual salary of $71,410 reflects solid earning potential for those who qualify. Projected employment growth of 5.4% suggests that demand is expected to increase over time, supported by approximately 2,000 annual openings. Typical entry into this career is through a bachelor’s degree, making it accessible to those who complete a four-year college program. The role draws on a broad skill set that includes science, critical and analytical thinking, mathematics, and problem solving, along with communication and leadership abilities. For students and professionals interested in a science-based career that blends quantitative analysis, technology use, and project work, soil and plant science offers a clearly defined pathway and a stable long-term outlook.
Soil and plant scientists earn a national median annual salary of $71,410, providing a strong baseline for long-term earnings. Pay varies meaningfully by location. Among the top states, California stands out with a median salary of $91,930, followed by Washington at $79,970 and New York at $77,800. Colorado and Virginia also offer median salaries above $73,000. At the metro level, salaries can be even higher. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro reports a median of $116,660, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is at $108,200 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV reaches $95,870. These figures indicate that professionals who are geographically flexible, particularly toward certain California and East Coast metros, may access higher earning tiers. Overall, the combination of a solid national median and strong pay in several key metros suggests attractive earning potential over the course of a career.
Employment for soil and plant scientists is projected to grow by 5.4%, indicating a positive forward trajectory for this field. With national employment at about 21,000, the occupation represents a focused but established segment of the labor market. The projection of approximately 2,000 annual openings points to ongoing opportunities for both new graduates and experienced professionals. These openings can reflect a mix of new positions created by growth and positions that need to be filled as people move, advance, or retire. The consistent 5.4% growth rate also appears across top states and metro areas listed for this occupation, suggesting a broadly similar outlook in those regions. For individuals planning education and career moves over several years, this combination of existing employment, projected growth, and steady annual openings indicates a career path with continuing demand rather than a short-term or niche spike.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for soil and plant scientists, with certain states and metros standing out. Among states, California has the highest median salary at $91,930 and the highest employment level at 1,440, along with the strongest opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Washington also combine relatively high median salaries ($77,800 and $79,970) with opportunity scores above 56. Colorado and Virginia provide additional options, each with a 5.4% growth rate and opportunity scores above 54, though with smaller employment bases than California. At the metro level, several areas offer particularly strong combinations of pay and opportunity. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the highest median salary at $116,660 and the top opportunity score of 77.42. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro follows closely in opportunity score at 77.27. San Francisco, Washington, DC-area, and Los Angeles metros also show strong median salaries and solid opportunity scores, giving mobile professionals multiple high-opportunity choices.
The typical education requirement for soil and plant scientists is a bachelor’s degree, providing a clear and structured route into the field for students planning their academic paths. Success in this occupation relies on a combination of scientific and analytical capabilities. Key skills include science, critical and analytical thinking, mathematics, problem solving, and decision making. The role also draws on computers and information technology, project management, and creativity and innovation, indicating that professionals may work with data, coordinate activities, and contribute new ideas or approaches. Strong writing and reading, along with speaking and listening, are important for communicating findings and collaborating with others, while leadership skills support taking responsibility for projects or teams. Together, this blend of education and skills points to a career well-suited to individuals who enjoy rigorous scientific study, working with quantitative information, and applying communication and organizational abilities in a professional setting.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
