As of June 2026, Soil and Plant Scientists has an AI-exposure score of 56/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
AI Exposure Score for
Soil and Plant Scientists
56/100
Elevated exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High
More exposed than 51% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$78,850. About 1,700 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
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How you compare to similar Science roles
Soil and Plant Scientists (you)
56
Neuropsychologists
56
Anthropologists and Archeologists
56
Materials Scientists
56
Clinical Neuropsychologists
56
Foresters
55
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Your tasks, by AI exposure
Automatable
- Survey undisturbed or disturbed lands for classification, inventory, mapping, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection planning, conservation planning, or reclamation planning.
- 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.
Augmentable
- Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.
- 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.
- Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.
- Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.
- Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.
- Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
- Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or pests.
- Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.
- Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
- Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.
- Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.
- Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.
- 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 use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
- Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.
- Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.
- Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
Durable
- Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
Safer adjacent roles
YOUR ROLE TODAY
Soil and Plant Scientists 56→
Conservation Scientists
59
80% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$73,010
Precision Agriculture Technicians
62
72% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$49,630
Industrial Ecologists
61
64% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$82,220
Agricultural Engineers
57
56% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$98,590
Biologists
59
48% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$98,920
Microbiologists
62
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$87,990
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
57
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$101,920
Hydrologists
58
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$96,600
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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.