Career comparison
Extension Educator 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. $60,220), while soil and plant scientists usually get to work faster (4-year degree of training). Extension educators bring university research to farmers, families and communities. 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
| Extension Educator | Soil and Plant Scientist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $60,220 ($28.95/hr) | $78,850 ($37.91/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,650 – $85,060 | $48,680 – $138,120 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -3.2% (a projected decline) | +6.7% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 800 | 1,400 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | Master’s plus field experience | 4-year degree |
| Key credential | Master’s degree | CCA |
| Work setting | Educators work in county offices, farms, schools and community sites.. | Scientists work in fields, labs and offices.. |
What each job does
Extension Educator
- Teach workshops
- Advise farmers
- Run 4-H programs
- Run field days
- Answer questions
Soil and Plant Scientist
- Test soils
- Breed crops
- Research pests
- Advise farmers
- Run field trials
How they’re similar
Both careers involve travel and working outdoors. Both are part of the agriculture, landscaping & animal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose extension educator if…
- I like teaching
- I love agriculture
- I like community work
Choose soil and plant scientist if…
- I love plants and soil
- I like field work
- I like science
Still torn? Take the Extension Educator fit quiz and the Soil and Plant Scientist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, extension educator or soil and plant scientist?
Soil and Plant Scientists earn more at the median: $78,850 versus $60,220 for extension educators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Soil and Plant Scientists typically train faster (4-year degree) than extension educators (Master’s plus field experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects soil and plant scientists to grow +6.7% from 2025–35, compared with -3.2% for extension educators.