What does a soil scientist do?
A soil scientist analyzes soil structures. They research soil's chemical properties, microorganism content, and physical composition. They provide advice on fertilizers, pesticides, and chemical treatments. They also provide advice on the crops best suited for a given soil type.
Soil scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real soil scientist resumes:
- Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
- Apply remote sensing techniques and geographic information system (GIS) for land use studies and environmental management plans.
- Used soil augers and pH meters.
- Produce detailed soil maps using GIS computer software.
- Calibrate pipettes, scales/balances, client sample bottles and other lab equipment.
- Assist geotechnical engineers with drilling projects such as asphalt coring, soil sampling and compaction tests.
- Complete all require paperwork for AOSE design permit and certification letter packages utilizing AutoCAD for all design work.
- Perform routine microbiological tests such as gram staining, microscopy, oxidase test, coagulase test, API tests.
- Prepare soil feasibility studies and used AutoCAD to generate finalize maps and detail descriptions.
- Synthesize poorly crystalline nano-phase proto-clay aluminosilicates (allophane and imogolite), with trace structural Fe.
- Demonstrate the significance of regulations implement by EPA through creation of presentations and informational booklets to be distribute at regional meetings.
- Develop land use management plans from a soils perspective for forest service relate projects.
- Propose, design, implement innovative protocol for forest soil disturbance monitoring that increase efficiency and legal defensibility.
- Qualify laboratory and sterilization equipment (IQ, OQ, PQ/Protocols).
- Facilitate customer acceptance of demand forecast by developing visualization processes, tutoring clients in methodology, and providing detail walk-through examples.
Soil scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Soil Scientists are proficient in GPS, Data Collection, and GIS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math skills, Observation skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Soil Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GPS, 17%
Accumulated GPS points for soil monitoring and contamination prevention.
- Data Collection, 17%
Perform field work including on-lot (septic) sewage disposal system inspections, field data collection, and site investigations.
- GIS, 14%
Applied remote sensing techniques and geographic information system (GIS) for land use studies and environmental management plans.
- EPA, 8%
Prepared thousands of reports and applications for State and Federal (EPA) Government.
- Technical Assistance, 5%
Identified problems/potential hazards and advised land users on conservation plans, alternative solutions, arid provided technical assistance for plan implementation.
- Soil Properties, 5%
Surveyed, described and classified soil properties in a remote field environment.
Most soil scientists use their skills in "gps," "data collection," and "gis" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential soil scientist responsibilities here:
Math skills. The most essential soft skill for a soil scientist to carry out their responsibilities is math skills. This skill is important for the role because "agricultural and food scientists, like many other scientists, must have a sound grasp of mathematical concepts." Additionally, a soil scientist resume shows how their duties depend on math skills: "directed and performed research and development on dynamic quantitative pcr. "
Observation skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling soil scientist duties is observation skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "agricultural and food scientists conduct experiments that require precise observation of samples and other data." According to a soil scientist resume, here's how soil scientists can utilize observation skills in their job responsibilities: "completed technical reports based on observations and interpretation of analytical data regarding water quality analytics. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of soil scientists is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday soil scientist duties, as "communication skills are critical for agricultural and food scientists." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintained communication with regulatory agencies. "
The three companies that hire the most soil scientists are:
- John Deere2 soil scientists jobs
- US Meat Animal Research Center1 soil scientists jobs
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Compare different soil scientists
Soil scientist vs. Plant breeder
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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, soil scientist responsibilities require skills like "rhode," "gps," "gis," and "epa." Meanwhile a typical plant breeder has skills in areas such as "harvest," "greenhouse," "data management," and "dna." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, plant breeders reach higher levels of education than soil scientists. Plant breeders are 8.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 6.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Soil scientist vs. Plant pathologist
Each career also uses different skills, according to real soil scientist resumes. While soil scientist responsibilities can utilize skills like "rhode," "gps," "data collection," and "gis," plant pathologists use skills like "plant pathology," "molecular biology," "pathogens," and "usda."
In general, plant pathologists achieve higher levels of education than soil scientists. They're 9.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 6.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Soil scientist vs. Field agronomist
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from soil scientist resumes include skills like "rhode," "gps," "gis," and "epa," whereas a field agronomist is more likely to list skills in "harvest," "cca," "plant tissue," and "chemistry. "
When it comes to education, field agronomists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to soil scientists. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Soil scientist vs. Agronomist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between soil scientists and agronomists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a soil scientist might have more use for skills like "rhode," "federal laws," "soil properties," and "npdes." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of agronomists require skills like "harvest," "technical support," "agronomy," and "powerpoint. "
In general, agronomists earn the most working in the government industry, with an average salary of $58,037. The highest-paying industry for a soil scientist is the agriculture industry.agronomists reach similar levels of education compared to soil scientists, in general. The difference is that they're 2.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of soil scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
