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What does an agronomist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read

Agronomists are professionals who are experts in finding ways to maximize crop production from a given acreage of soil. These agronomists must maintain a deep understanding of soil productivity principles by performing experiments to determine plant nutrients and soil health. They must collaborate with farmers and crop researchers to assess the crop production of the farm and conduct a detailed analysis of crop data. Agronomists must also develop methods to protect crops from diseases, weeds, pests, and harsh climate change.

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Agronomist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real agronomist resumes:

  • Lead a 4 to 8 man teams (depending on location) in construction of greenhouse and irrigation systems.
  • Lead all agronomy relate functions including fertility management, irrigation.
  • Perform routine and recurring techniques using a variety of specialize equipment such as autoclaves, microscopes, pipettes, and centrifuges.
  • Pass the Iowa CCA exam.
  • Use maps efficiently and GPS technology.
  • Follow USDA mainland shipment laws and regulations
  • Repair farm tractors and combine harvesters.
  • Introduce VRT technology and global positioning through GPS factors
  • Assist in the inspection of all applicable commodities.
  • Preform USGSA and/or AMA weighing and preparation of grade commodities.
  • Preform weekly, monthly sanitation/sterilization of rooms as required by FDA.
  • Treat soybeans and wheat in a portable USC treat and a Bayer treater.
  • Perform vegetation control with loppers, brush trimmers, mowers, and by hand.
  • Apply herbicides using a backpack sprayer and ATV to implement invasive species control measures.
  • Hold project APHIS permits for out-of-state isolates used in screening and graduate student projects.

Agronomist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 31% of Agronomists are proficient in Harvest, Field Testing, and Technical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Analytical skills, and Physical stamina.

We break down the percentage of Agronomists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Harvest, 31%

    Assisted in fertilization and harvest logistics.

  • Field Testing, 16%

    Conducted field testing of newly developed hybrid rice lines.

  • Technical Support, 12%

    Research Station work, test plot experiments, and technical support for company personnel and customers.

  • Agronomy, 12%

    Provided assistance to in-house mechanic with repair and maintenance of agronomy equipment.

  • PowerPoint, 8%

    Worked with specialized geographic software and MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

  • AG, 3%

    Present in multiple Ag Service locations to large audiences.

Common skills that an agronomist uses to do their job include "harvest," "field testing," and "technical support." You can find details on the most important agronomist responsibilities below.

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an agronomist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what agronomists do because "communication skills are critical for agricultural and food scientists." Additionally, an agronomist resume shows how agronomists use communication skills: "maintained communication with farm managers, grower-relations reps, ccas and pcas. "

All agronomist skills

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Compare different agronomists

Agronomist vs. Plant breeder

If we compare the average agronomist annual salary with that of a plant breeder, we find that plant breeders typically earn a $26,841 higher salary than agronomists make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both agronomist and plant breeder positions are skilled in harvest, data collection, and irrigation systems.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between agronomists and plant breeder. For instance, agronomist responsibilities require skills such as "field testing," "technical support," "agronomy," and "powerpoint." Whereas a plant breeder is skilled in "greenhouse," "data management," "dna," and "capital budgets." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Plant breeders tend to reach higher levels of education than agronomists. In fact, plant breeders are 5.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Agronomist vs. Plant pathologist

On average, plant pathologists earn a $28,380 higher salary than agronomists a year.A few skills overlap for agronomists and plant pathologists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "harvest," "research projects," and "usda. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, agronomist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "field testing," "technical support," "agronomy," and "powerpoint." Meanwhile, a plant pathologist has duties that require skills in areas such as "plant pathology," "molecular biology," "pathogens," and "research plant." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Plant pathologists tend to reach higher levels of education than agronomists. In fact, they're 6.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Agronomist vs. Plant breeder scientist

An average plant breeder scientist eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of agronomists. The difference in salaries amounts to plant breeder scientists earning a $21,937 higher average salary than agronomists.agronomists and plant breeder scientists both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data collection," "crop production," and "data analysis," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from agronomist resumes include skills like "harvest," "field testing," "technical support," and "agronomy," whereas a plant breeder scientist is more likely to list skills in "intellectual property," "laboratory procedures," "lc/ms," and "disease resistance. "

When it comes to education, plant breeder scientists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to agronomists. In fact, they're 2.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 6.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Agronomist vs. Microbiology soil scientist

Microbiology soil scientists tend to earn a higher pay than agronomists by an average of $20,607 per year.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "harvest," "field testing," "technical support," and "agronomy" are skills that commonly show up on agronomist resumes. On the other hand, microbiology soil scientists use skills like laboratory equipment, environmental monitoring, bacteria, and microbiology techniques on their resumes.In general, microbiology soil scientists hold similar degree levels compared to agronomists. Microbiology soil scientists are 0.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 6.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of agronomist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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