Soil Scientist
Snapshot
Soil scientists research and study scientific disciplines concerning soil. They advise on how to improve soil quality to support nature, food production or human infrastructure using surveying techniques, irrigation techniques and erosion reduction measures. They make sure to conserve and restore land suffering from intense farming or human interaction.
Soil scientists are experts in the composition, properties, and processes of soil. Your work involves a blend of fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and strategic planning. You might spend time surveying land, collecting soil samples, analyzing data, and developing recommendations to enhance soil health. This often involves advising on sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and human activities.
- • Conducting soil surveys and mapping to assess soil types and their suitability for different uses.
- • Analyzing soil samples to determine their chemical, physical, and biological properties.
- • Developing and implementing strategies for soil conservation, erosion control, and land restoration.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Denmark, Netherlands.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $78,850 2025-05 | +5.4% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2022 * | — | +35.5% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £37,949 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
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Future Outlook for soil scientist
The outlook for soil scientist reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could soil scientist change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
- advise on nature conservation
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- conduct soil sample tests
- perform laboratory tests
Tasks most exposed to automation
- gather experimental data
- write work-related reports
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Agriculture
A typical day as a soil scientist
09 09:00 · Morning advise on nature conservation
10 10:30 · Mid-morning apply safety procedures in laboratory
12 12:00 · Midday conduct soil sample tests
14 14:00 · Afternoon gather experimental data
15 15:30 · Late afternoon perform laboratory tests
17 17:00 · Wrap-up write work-related reports
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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perform laboratory tests
Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
-
apply safety procedures in laboratory
Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
-
gather experimental data
Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
-
write work-related reports
Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
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conduct soil sample tests
Analyse and test soil samples; determine gas chromatography and gather relevant isotope and carbon information; determine viscosity.
-
advise on nature conservation
Provide information and suggested actions relating to the conservation of nature.
crop production principles
Principles in growing crops, the natural cycle, nursing of nature, growth conditions and principles of organic and sustainable production. Quality criterias and requirements of seeds, plants and crop.
European pesticide legislation
The EU framework for community action which promotes the sustainable use of pesticides.
soil mechanics
Thoroughly understand the characteristics of soil in relation to analysing the deformations of fluids within soil that supports man-made structures.
soil structure
Diversity of soil elements and types of soil in relation to plant growth.
agricultural equipment
The offered agricultural machinery and equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
agroforestry
The application of land management systems and technologies that integrate trees and other woody perennials with traditional cropland farming in order to sustain agricultural production while ensuring the protection of the natural environment.
conservation agriculture
The techniques, methods and principles that promote a sustainable use of land and soil in crop production. It is based on the three principles of permanent soil cover, minimum soil disturbance, and diversification of plant species.
habitat restoration
The process of repairing and rehabilitating areas that suffered habitat destruction, alteration of seafloor or the threat of extinction of some animal and plant species. Habitat restoration also involves the mitigation of pollution, erosion, and deforestation. The restoration procedure to recreate biodiversity and an operating ecosystem requires knowledge on protection, management and re-establishment of species by returning biotic and abiotic factors to historical levels.
- ecology
- geology
- scientific literature
- soil science
Path to become a soil scientist
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
1,669 programmes in 31 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 135 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Science)
University of Galway · Ireland
Earth Sciences
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam · the Netherlands
Master of Science in Sustainable Land Management
Vrije Universiteit Brussel · Belgium
Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture
Munster Technological University · Ireland
These are 6 of 1,804.
Sources
- 1. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
- 2. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
- 3. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (collegescorecard.ed.gov), CC BY. Data as at 10/06/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
- 4. Source: Hogeronderwijsregister, Flemish government (hogeronderwijsregister.be). Flemish Community of Belgium only.
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does soil scientist fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of education is typically required to become a soil scientist?
What are some of the challenges soil scientists face in their work?
What are the typical work conditions for a soil scientist?
How much does Soil Scientist pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data