Career comparison
Farm Manager vs. Soil and Plant Scientist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Farm managers earn more at the median ($89,900 vs. $78,850), while soil and plant scientists usually get to work faster (4-year degree of training). Farm managers run farms and ranches, from planting and livestock to budgets and sales. 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
| Farm Manager | Soil and Plant Scientist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $89,900 ($43.22/hr) | $78,850 ($37.91/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $54,320 – $160,020 | $48,680 – $138,120 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -3.4% (a projected decline) | +6.7% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 70,800 | 1,400 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 5+ years of farm experience | 4-year degree |
| Key credential | Private pesticide applicator license | CCA |
| Work setting | Farm managers work outdoors in fields and barns and in farm offices, in all weather.. | Scientists work in fields, labs and offices.. |
What each job does
Farm Manager
- Plan crop and livestock production
- Manage planting, harvesting and animal care
- Hire and supervise workers
- Maintain equipment and facilities
- Manage budgets, loans and insurance
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, high-pay, and in-demand. Both are part of the agriculture, landscaping & animal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose farm manager if…
- I love land and animals
- I want to run my own business
- I can handle risk
Choose soil and plant scientist if…
- I love plants and soil
- I like field work
- I like science
Still torn? Take the Farm Manager fit quiz and the Soil and Plant Scientist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, farm manager or soil and plant scientist?
Farm Managers earn more at the median: $89,900 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 farm managers (5+ years of farm experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects soil and plant scientists to grow +6.7% from 2025–35, compared with -3.4% for farm managers.