Career comparison
Agricultural Technician vs. Soil and Plant Scientist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Soil and plant scientists earn more at the median ($78,850 vs. $49,630), while agricultural technicians usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Agricultural technicians support crop, soil and livestock research in fields and labs. 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 Technician | Soil and Plant Scientist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,630 ($23.86/hr) | $78,850 ($37.91/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,980 – $76,480 | $48,680 – $138,120 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.4% (faster than average) | +6.7% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 2,800 | 1,400 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 2 years | 4-year degree |
| Key credential | Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) | CCA |
| Work setting | Technicians split time between fields, greenhouses and labs, working outdoors in heat and weather during the season.. | Scientists work in fields, labs and offices.. |
What each job does
Agricultural Technician
- Plant and maintain research plots
- Collect soil, plant and water samples
- Measure growth, yield and quality
- Run lab tests and prepare samples
- Operate plot planters and harvesters
Soil and Plant Scientist
- Test soils
- Breed crops
- Research pests
- Advise farmers
- Run field trials
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, working with information, and in-demand. Both are part of the agriculture, landscaping & animal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose agricultural technician if…
- I like science and farming
- I enjoy both field and lab work
- I’m careful with measurements
Choose soil and plant scientist if…
- I love plants and soil
- I like field work
- I like science
Still torn? Take the Agricultural Technician fit quiz and the Soil and Plant Scientist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, agricultural technician or soil and plant scientist?
Soil and Plant Scientists earn more at the median: $78,850 versus $49,630 for agricultural technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Agricultural Technicians typically train faster (2 years) than soil and plant scientists (4-year degree).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects soil and plant scientists to grow +6.7% from 2025–35, compared with +5.4% for agricultural technicians.