What they do
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.
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Also called: |
Agronomist, Arboriculture Researcher, Crop Nutrition Scientist, Forage Physiologist, Horticulture Specialist, Plant Physiologist, Plant Research Geneticist, Research Scientist, Research Soil Scientist, Scientist
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 25.38 |
$52,790 |
25% |
$ 27.19 |
$56,550 |
Median |
$ 29.13 |
$60,600 |
75% |
$ 33.74 |
$70,180 |
90% |
$ 35.76 |
$74,370 |
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Average |
$ 30.74 |
$63,940 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 28% |
- Educational services; state, local, and private
| 14% |
| 12% |
- Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods
| 10% |
- Federal government, excluding postal service
| 7% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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- Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
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- Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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More at O*NET |
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
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- Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
Projected employment not available for Vermont but may be for the nation and other states at CareerOneStop |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Bachelor's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Important
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- Level of activity is Moderate
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Low | | High |
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Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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Job Zone
Extensive Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(8.0 and above) - A typical worker will require
over 4 years up to and including 10 years or more
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 33% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 33% |
Bachelor's degree | | 24% |
Associate's degree | | 5% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 5% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 0% |
Less than high school diploma | | 0% |
More at O*NET |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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- Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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- Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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- Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
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- Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
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- Advise others about land management or conservation.
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- Research sustainable agricultural processes or practices.
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- Research hydrologic features or processes.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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