Career Explorer Science
Grows with AI
Soil and plant scientists
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.
In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 41% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by +6.7% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on creative vision.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $78,850
- Job growth to 2035
- +6.7%
- Openings a year
- 1,400
- People doing it (2025)
- 19,900
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Develop operational or technical procedures or standards
- Research issues related to earth sciences
- Present research or technical information
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Research agricultural processes or practices
- Advise others on environmental sustainability or green practices
- Develop plans for managing or preserving natural resources
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- MicrobiologistsGrows with AI, Index 55, +6.2%
- Agricultural engineersGrows with AI, Index 66, +6.9%
- Food scientists and technologistsGrows with AI, Index 61, +6.2%
- Marine engineers and naval architectsGrows with AI, Index 51, +6.7%
Also known as: Agronomist, Research Scientist, Research Soil Scientist, Scientist, Arboriculture Researcher, Crop Nutrition Scientist, Forage Physiologist, Horticulture Specialist.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.