AITakeover Tracker

Soil and Plant Scientists

SOC: 19-1013.00 · Job Zone 5 (Extensive preparation)

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.

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$71,410

per year

Mean Wage

$83,040

per year

Employment

17K

workers

Wage Range

$45,320 - $131,440

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$45,320Median: $71,410$131,440

Task Breakdown

27 tasks analyzed

Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.

Non-Routine InterpersonalTime: 7%

Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 5%

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.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 7%

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.

Non-Routine InterpersonalTime: 5%

Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 4%

Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 4%

Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 4%

Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 4%

Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the effects of alternative practices on the environment.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 4%

Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 4%

Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 4%

Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.

Routine CognitiveTime: 3%

Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.

Non-Routine InterpersonalTime: 3%

Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 4%

Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 3%

Study insect distribution or habitat and recommend methods to prevent importation or spread of injurious species.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 3%

Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.

Non-Routine InterpersonalTime: 3%

Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 3%

Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.

Routine CognitiveTime: 3%

Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 2%

Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.

Routine CognitiveTime: 3%

Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 3%

Research technical requirements or environmental impacts of urban green spaces, such as green roof installations.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 2%

Survey undisturbed or disturbed lands for classification, inventory, mapping, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection planning, conservation planning, or reclamation planning.

Non-Routine ManualTime: 3%

Conduct research into the use of plant species as green fuels or in the production of green fuels.

Non-Routine AnalyticalTime: 3%

Plan or supervise land conservation or reclamation programs for industrial development projects.

Non-Routine InterpersonalTime: 2%

Plan or supervise waste management programs for composting or farming.

Non-Routine InterpersonalTime: 2%
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