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Plant Scientist

Overview and Key Facts

plant scientists
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$66,750
Job Growth
Job Growth
9.10%
(Above US Average)
Jobs in 2031
Jobs in 2031
20,800

What Do They Do?

A plant scientist could...

Overview Listen to this section

With a growing world population, making sure that there is enough food for everyone is critical. Plant scientists work to ensure that agricultural practices result in an abundance of nutritious food in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
Watch this video to accompany a plant scientist student as she collects flower specimens.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Plant Scientist?


  1. Reading Comprehension: ?
  2. Science: ?
  3. Complex Problem Solving: ?
  4. Speaking: ?
  5. Active Learning: ?

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Plant Scientist might do:
  • Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
  • 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.
  • Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
  • 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.
  • Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or pests.
  • Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
  • Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.
  • Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.
  • Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the effects of alternative practices on the environment.
  • Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
  • Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.
  • Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
  • Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.
  • Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.

Salary & Job Openings

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Plant Scientist

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On the Job

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