Career comparison
Agricultural Sciences Professor vs. Soil and Plant Scientist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Agricultural sciences professors earn more at the median ($98,700 vs. $78,850), while soil and plant scientists usually get to work faster (4-year degree of training). Agricultural sciences professors teach and research crops, livestock, soils and food production. Soil and plant scientists study soils and crops to help farmers grow more with less.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Agricultural Sciences Professor | Soil and Plant Scientist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $98,700 | $78,850 ($37.91/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,870 – $163,150 | $48,680 – $138,120 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.9% (about as fast as average) | +6.7% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 800 | 1,400 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s | 4-year degree |
| Key credential | Ph.D. in agricultural science | CCA |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms, labs, research farms and in the field.. | Scientists work in fields, labs and offices.. |
What each job does
Agricultural Sciences Professor
- Teach agriculture courses
- Run field and lab research
- Work with extension programs
- Advise students and clubs
- Write grants
Soil and Plant Scientist
- Test soils
- Breed crops
- Research pests
- Advise farmers
- Run field trials
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, problem-solving, and high-pay. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and agriculture, landscaping & animal care, but share transferable skills such as communication with farmers and curiosity.
Which should you choose?
Choose agricultural sciences professor if…
- I love agriculture
- I like field research
- I enjoy teaching
Choose soil and plant scientist if…
- I love plants and soil
- I like field work
- I like science
Still torn? Take the Agricultural Sciences Professor fit quiz and the Soil and Plant Scientist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, agricultural sciences professor or soil and plant scientist?
Agricultural Sciences Professors earn more at the median: $98,700 versus $78,850 for soil and plant scientists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Soil and Plant Scientists typically train faster (4-year degree) than agricultural sciences professors (5–7 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects soil and plant scientists to grow +6.7% from 2025–35, compared with +2.9% for agricultural sciences professors.