Career Categories: Education & Research

Soil Scientist

Soil Scientists study the physical and chemical properties of the upper few meters of the earth's crust. They classify different types of soil–which types of soil are good for growing certain crops and which soils are good to support buildings and dwellings. They understand how land will erode by devising and studying soil maps. They may recommend fertilizers or crop rotation to keep soil fertile. Soil Scientists may work for the federal, state or local government, the private sector or for universities.