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AgricultureTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.Green JobOccupation aligned to O*NET green economy classifications.

Soil and Plant Scientist

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.

Annual openings

62

Median wage

$75,430

Typical education

Bachelor's degree. Most have at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, agronomy, engineering or environmental studies

Growth 2026–2032

+9%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree. Most have at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, agronomy, engineering or environmental studies

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

No previous work experience is required.

Ag Extension offices employ many Soil and Plant Scientists that support farmers on the health/safety of their produce.
Soil and Plant Scientists use their knowledge to find out which crops grow best in which soils, what fertilizers to use, the best methods of plowing and planting, and ways to improve the safety of the food produced.
These jobs often have a good mix of being in a lab or in the field.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerNo
  • OutdoorsYes
  • With your handsYes

Interests it draws on

  • Agriculture and Sustainability
  • Farming

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
  5. Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
  6. Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.
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