Agriculture & EnvironmentCompare

Soil Scientist

O*NET: Soil and Plant Scientists·19-1013.00

The Verdict:Soil scientists navigate diverse field sites to sample and assess soils hands-on, adapting to local conditions no remote system replicates. AI accelerates lab analysis and modeling but cannot perform physical surveys or contextual advice to landowners. Core fieldwork and expert integration endure, with tools enhancing rather than displacing the role over the next decade.

Resilience Score

/100

Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: March 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$71k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+5.4%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 4 of 27 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

15%

Low exposure

Task Analysis

Most of this role rewards AI fluency.
59% of tasks (16 of 27) become more productive with AI tools — learning to use them is the highest-leverage career move.

4exposed

16AI leverage

7human-essential

View all 27 tasks

AI Can Handle This4 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.

Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.

Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.

Study insect distribution or habitat and recommend methods to prevent importation or spread of injurious species.

AI Leverage16 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.

Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.

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.

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.

Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.

Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.

Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.

Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.

Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.

Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or pests.

Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.

Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.

Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.

Plan or supervise waste management programs for composting or farming.

Research technical requirements or environmental impacts of urban green spaces, such as green roof installations.

Conduct research into the use of plant species as green fuels or in the production of green fuels.

Human Advantage7 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.

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.

Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.

Survey undisturbed or disturbed lands for classification, inventory, mapping, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection planning, conservation planning, or reclamation planning.

Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.

Plan or supervise land conservation or reclamation programs for industrial development projects.

Resilience Landscape

Soil Scientist lands in Stable & Well-Paid

Higher Resilience Paths in Agriculture & Environment

Agriculture & Environment

Soil Scientist

Task Analysis

Resilience Landscape

Higher Resilience Paths in Agriculture & Environment

Agricultural Inspector

Forester

Animal Caretaker