Soil scientist
Also known as: soil analyst, lead senior soil scientist, acidity tester, soil wetland scientist, soil technician, soil biologist
About this occupation
Soil scientists research and study the scientific discipline concerning soil. They advise on how to improve soil quality to support nature, food production or human infrastructure using surveying techniques, irrigation techniques and erosion reduction measures. They make sure to conserve and restore land suffering from intense farming or human interaction.
Essential skills and knowledge
- perform laboratory tests
- soil science
- conduct soil sample tests
- advise on nature conservation
- gather experimental data
- ecology
- soil structure
- crop production principles
- geology
- soil mechanics
- European pesticide legislation
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Soil and Plant Scientists (O*NET 19-1013.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
- Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
- 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.
- 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.
- Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Science, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Active Listening
US median pay: US$78,850 a year (2025), 15,730 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.4)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyVery important (3.9)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.9)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.8)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyImportant (3.4)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Conservation Scientists
- Precision Agriculture Technicians
- Industrial Ecologists
- Microbiologists
- Agricultural Engineers
- Biologists
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
- Range Managers
- Hydrologists
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.