ConsultaPedia Logo

Master Degree Careers and Jobs

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Master's Degree with or without Certificates - All On One Page

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Master's Degree.

A master's degree deepens expertise and often unlocks specialized, supervisory, or higher-paying roles beyond a bachelor's degree. For people weighing whether advanced study will meaningfully expand their career options. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link.

This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Doctorate Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Doctorate Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.



Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Master Degree Jobs External Link
What jobs can you get with a Master's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Master's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Master's Degree. - 105 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Masters Degree) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Nurse Anesthetists / (44.44%) / ($212,650)
Chief Executives / (50.40%) / ($206,680)
Chief Sustainability Officers / (81.48%) / ($206,680)
Architectural and Engineering Managers / (51.04%) / ($165,370)
Water Resource Specialists / (50.00%) / ($157,740)
Marketing Managers / (34.88%) / ($157,620)
Treasurers and Controllers / (36.00%) / ($156,100)
Investment Fund Managers / (67.35%) / ($156,100)
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists / (57.69%) / ($147,420)
Computer Hardware Engineers / (37.93%) / ($138,080)
Aerospace Engineers / (33.34%) / ($130,720)
Physician Assistants / (94.59%) / ($130,020)
Anesthesiologist Assistants / (57.30%) / ($130,020)
Nurse Midwives / (96.87%) / ($129,650)
Law Teachers, Postsecondary / (63.68%) / ($127,360)
Nurse Practitioners / (65.22%) / ($126,260)
Mathematicians / (35.00%) / ($116,440)
Economists / (50.00%) / ($115,730)
Environmental Economists / (40.74%) / ($115,730)
Microsystems Engineers / (34.17%) / ($111,970)
Photonics Engineers / (38.10%) / ($111,970)
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary / (30.49%) / ($105,770)
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary / (35.94%) / ($105,650)
Statisticians / (61.90%) / ($104,110)
Biostatisticians / (58.33%) / ($104,110)
Health Informatics Specialists / (57.14%) / ($103,800)
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary / (76.28%) / ($103,460)
Education Administrators, Postsecondary / (47.94%) / ($102,610)
Sociologists / (30.00%) / ($101,770)
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists / (31.44%) / ($100,890)
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary / (49.78%) / ($100,690)
Physical Therapists / (38.30%) / ($99,710)
Fuel Cell Engineers / (42.86%) / ($99,510)
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists / (50.00%) / ($99,380)
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary / (47.35%) / ($96,430)
Occupational Therapists / (86.36%) / ($96,370)
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists / (60.87%) / ($96,370)
Water/Wastewater Engineers / (30.44%) / ($95,890)
Transportation Planners / (45.00%) / ($95,890)
Genetic Counselors / (100.00%) / ($95,770)
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval / (47.62%) / ($93,310)
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers / (43.75%) / ($92,580)
Geneticists / (36.00%) / ($91,100)
Biologists / (54.99%) / ($91,100)
Speech-Language Pathologists / (100.00%) / ($89,290)
Hydrologists / (52.17%) / ($88,770)
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses / (91.31%) / ($86,070)
Clinical Nurse Specialists / (95.23%) / ($86,070)
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary / (35.34%) / ($86,030)
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary / (35.27%) / ($85,810)
School Psychologists / (99.91%) / ($84,940)
Operations Research Analysts / (42.86%) / ($83,640)
History Teachers, Postsecondary / (30.36%) / ($82,140)
Urban and Regional Planners / (60.00%) / ($81,800)
Epidemiologists / (66.67%) / ($81,390)
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary / (43.00%) / ($81,020)
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary / (52.11%) / ($80,780)
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary / (52.29%) / ($80,360)
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary / (71.82%) / ($79,910)
Sustainability Specialists / (39.13%) / ($79,590)
Climate Change Policy Analysts / (65.22%) / ($78,980)
Environmental Restoration Planners / (40.91%) / ($78,980)
Industrial Ecologists / (65.22%) / ($78,980)
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary / (36.77%) / ($78,410)
Financial Quantitative Analysts / (60.00%) / ($78,310)
Acupuncturists / (75.00%) / ($78,220)
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary / (31.68%) / ($78,130)
Orthotists and Prosthetists / (90.00%) / ($78,100)
Social and Community Service Managers / (32.05%) / ($77,030)
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary / (34.76%) / ($75,020)
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists / (39.13%) / ($74,680)
Instructional Coordinators / (74.90%) / ($74,620)
Historians / (64.48%) / ($72,890)
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators / (57.90%) / ($71,540)
Bioinformatics Technicians / (40.66%) / ($70,620)
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists / (39.98%) / ($70,600)
Dietitians and Nutritionists / (33.33%) / ($69,680)
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary / (49.12%) / ($69,030)
Soil and Plant Scientists / (38.09%) / ($68,240)
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School / (42.41%) / ($66,620)
Special Education Teachers, Preschool / (32.13%) / ($65,270)
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists / (69.32%) / ($64,370)
Anthropologists and Archeologists / (30.00%) / ($63,800)
Art Therapists / (96.87%) / ($63,650)
Midwives / (30.30%) / ($63,630)
Healthcare Social Workers / (85.18%) / ($62,940)
Music Directors and Composers / (30.14%) / ($62,590)
Curators / (44.05%) / ($61,750)
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors / (41.19%) / ($61,710)
Survey Researchers / (46.16%) / ($60,960)
Archivists / (90.32%) / ($59,910)
Farm and Home Management Educators / (70.37%) / ($59,770)
Set and Exhibit Designers / (47.61%) / ($59,490)
Clergy / (49.16%) / ($58,920)
Marriage and Family Therapists / (91.31%) / ($58,510)
Athletic Trainers / (54.33%) / ($57,930)
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators / (50.00%) / ($57,570)
Interpreters and Translators / (31.57%) / ($57,090)
Social Science Research Assistants / (36.70%) / ($56,400)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers / (81.22%) / ($55,960)
Exercise Physiologists / (31.82%) / ($54,860)
Museum Technicians and Conservators / (47.09%) / ($48,670)
Self-Enrichment Teachers / (34.69%) / ($45,330)
Rehabilitation Counselors / (31.22%) / ($44,040)
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary / (37.46%) / ($43,750)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Soil and Plant Scientists.

Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Soil and Plant Scientists" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.




Soil and Plant Scientists

Description: 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.

U.S. Total Employment (2023):
18,800
U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
20,700
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
1,900 (10%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
2,300
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Soil and Plant Scientists":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: 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.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or pests.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: 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.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
Supplemental Duties
Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Survey undisturbed or disturbed lands for classification, inventory, mapping, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection planning, conservation planning, or reclamation planning.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Plan or supervise waste management programs for composting or farming.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Research technical requirements or environmental impacts of urban green spaces, such as green roof installations.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Plan or supervise land conservation or reclamation programs for industrial development projects.
Importance: 57 (%) Description: Conduct research into the use of plant species as green fuels or in the production of green fuels.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Study insect distribution or habitat and recommend methods to prevent importation or spread of injurious species.
Importance: 43 (%) Description: Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.
Importance: 43 (%) Description: Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
Advise others about land management or conservation.
Analyze biological samples.
Analyze environmental data.
Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior.
Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.
Conduct climatological research.
Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.
Develop agricultural methods.
Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
Direct natural resources management or conservation programs.
Plan natural resources conservation or restoration programs.
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Research crop management methods.
Research diseases or parasites.
Research geological features or processes.
Research hydrologic features or processes.
Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
Research sustainable agricultural processes or practices.
Survey land or properties.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Advise others on environmental sustainability or green practices.
Activity: Analyze biological or chemical substances or related data.
Activity: Analyze environmental or geospatial data.
Activity: Assess characteristics of land or property.
Activity: Coordinate with others to resolve problems.
Activity: Develop operational or technical procedures or standards.
Activity: Develop plans for managing or preserving natural resources.
Activity: Develop sustainable organizational or business policies or practices.
Activity: Direct scientific or technical activities.
Activity: Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
Activity: Present research or technical information.
Activity: Research agricultural processes or practices.
Activity: Research biological or ecological phenomena.
Activity: Research issues related to earth sciences.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Emerging Tech Skills
Analytical or scientific software:
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
Computer aided design CAD software:
Autodesk AutoCAD
Data base user interface and query software:
Microsoft Access
Geographic information system:
ESRI ArcGIS software
Object or component oriented development software:
R
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Web platform development software:
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Analytical or scientific software (scroll table below):
3dMapper
Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator EPIC
European Soil Erosion Model EUROSEM
GEOEAS
GSLIB
Gstat
LandSerf
PC-Progress HYDRUS
SGeMS
SPAW
STATISTICA
UNSATFLOW
Variogram Estimation and Spatial Prediction plus Error Vesper
Water Erosion Prediction Project WEPP
Categorization or classification software:
GAEA Technologies WinSieve
Data base user interface and query software (scroll table below):
National Resources Conservation Service NRCS PEDON Description Program PDP
National Resources Conservation Service NRCS Soils Explorer
National Soil Information System NASIS
PedonCE
Soil information databases
SoilVision Systems SVOFFICE
Geographic information system:
Geographic information system GIS software
Geographic information system GIS systems
Map creation software:
Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

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.

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).

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.

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 28.6 (%) Level of Education: Master's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 23.8 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 19.1 (%) Level of Education: Doctoral Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) Level of Education: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) Level of Education: Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.
Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) Level of Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) Level of Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 28.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 28.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 14.3 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 9.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 9.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 9.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?
American Society of Agronomy (ASA) External Link
Botanical Society of America (BSA) External Link
Desert Botanical Garden (DBG) External Link
International Plant Propagators' Society (IPPS) External Link
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) External Link
Plantae External Link
Soil Science Society of American (SSSA) External Link
Related Careers to Consider

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Soil and Plant Scientists". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Soil and Plant Scientists". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Soil and Plant Scientists". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Soil and Plant Scientists


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Soil and Plant Scientists" occupation.






Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka © 2026 About This Page