Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Soil And Plant Scientists
About 1 in 4 agricultural and food scientists work for Federal, State, or local governments. A bachelors degree in agricultural science is sufficient for some jobs in applied research; a masters or Ph.D. degree is required for basic research or teaching. Over 1 in 3 agricultural and food scientists are self-employed.
On average, Soil and Plant Scientists earn $ 56,080 per year.
Job Opportunities for Science Careers are
expected to:
Increase as fast as the average.
Chemists
Conservation Scientists
The work of agricultural and food scientists plays an important part in maintaining the Nations food supply by ensuring agricultural productivity and food safety. Agricultural scientists study farm crops and animals and develop ways of improving their quantity and quality. They look for ways to improve crop yield with less labor, control pests and weeds more safely and effectively, and conserve soil and water. They research methods of converting raw agricultural commodities into attractive and healthy food products for consumers. Some agricultural scientists look for ways to use agricultural products for fuels
Most agricultural and food scientists need at least a masters degree to work in basic or applied research, whereas a bachelors degree is sufficient for some jobs in applied research or product development, or jobs in other occupations related to agricultural science.
Agricultural and food scientists held about 33,000 jobs in 2006. In addition, many people trained in these sciences held faculty positions in colleges and universities.
American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America,
Living Science, Purdue University
