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Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

19-1013 Soil and Plant Scientists



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.

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Southwest Minnesota 7011$30.18/hr$18.92/hr$18.93/hr$29.68/hr$37.88/hr$40.56/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Natural Resources and MiningN/AN/A
ManufacturingN/AN/A
Trade, Transportation and Utilities190$29.51/hr
Professional and Business Services40$30.10/hr
Education and Health ServicesN/AN/A
Leisure and HospitalityN/AN/A
Public Administration70$35.51/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Duluth MN-WI MSA N/AN/AN/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Rochester MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 20$33.13/hrN/A
St Cloud MN MSA 20$35.57/hrN/A
Southeast Balance of State 20$25.40/hrN/A
Southeast Minnesota 20$30.82/hrN/A
Central Minnesota 50$30.21/hr0.0%
Northwest Balance of State 60$30.10/hrN/A
Southwest Balance of State 60$25.40/hrN/A
Southwest Minnesota 70$29.68/hr4.8%
Northwest Minnesota 80$33.13/hr2.8%
Fargo ND-MN MSA 200$30.95/hrN/A
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 250$32.54/hr1.8%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 270$32.54/hrN/A
Minnesota 490$31.56/hr2.1%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 160$31.29/hr5.2%
Animal Scientists 240$32.30/hr4.4%
Hydrologists 300$40.26/hr-0.7%
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 650$34.90/hr5.2%
Microbiologists 140$33.74/hr4.2%
Physical Scientists, All Other 580N/AN/A


  • 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.
  • Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
  • Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
  • Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.
  • Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.
  • Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
  • Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.
  • Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.
  • Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.