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Environment, plants and animals

Plant Scientist

Studies how plants grow, fight off disease and respond to soil and climate, and uses that knowledge to improve crops.

Plant scientists work in university labs, breeding companies, agricultural research institutes and agronomy firms, and some spend much of their time out on farms. It suits people who like biology with a practical, outdoor side and want to help grow food more sustainably.

Also called Agronomist, Plant physiologist, Crop scientist or Plant breeder.

At a glance

Way in
Bachelor's degree, often in plant science, agriculture, botany, crop science and genetics
Pay in the US
$78,850 a year, the medianFor soil and plant scientists, 2025
Pay in the UK
£27,000 starting to £60,000 with experienceFor a agronomist, the nearest National Careers Service profile
US outlook
Much faster than average, 2025-2035
Suits you if
You like plants and genetics and want your work to help grow food better.

Pay is a guide: it moves with the country, the employer, the sector and the years in the job. Figures from O*NET OnLine (US) and the National Careers Service (UK); see the sources below.

The work

What does a plant scientist do?

  • Run field trials and glasshouse experiments to compare crop varieties and treatments.
  • Test soil and plant tissue to understand nutrients, water use and how well plants grow.
  • Breed or engineer plants for higher yield, drought tolerance or resistance to pests.
  • Advise farmers on fertiliser, crop rotation and controlling pests and disease.
  • Analyse trial data, drone images and genetic results, and write up what they show.

Where they work

  • Agricultural research institutes
  • University plant science labs
  • Seed and breeding companies
  • Agronomy consultancies
  • Botanic gardens

Skills

The skills a plant scientist needs

  • Plant biologyphysiology, genetics and plant pathology
  • Experimental designfield trials with proper controls and replicates
  • Data analysisstatistics and software for trial results
  • Lab techniquessoil tests, DNA work and tissue culture
  • Communicationadvising growers in practical terms
  • Fieldworkcareful observation and recording outdoors

Route in

How to become a plant scientist

  1. Take biology and chemistry at school, and geography or maths if you can.
  2. Complete a degree in plant science, agriculture, botany or a related biology subject.
  3. Gain experience through a placement year, summer work on a farm or a research internship.
  4. Take a master's or PhD for research and breeding roles, or join an agronomy firm and train as an adviser.

Degrees people take

  • Plant science
  • Agriculture
  • Botany
  • Crop science
  • Genetics

In the UK, anyone advising on or selling pesticides must by law hold a BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection.

Practise for it

The quizzes and tools that fit

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Sources

Where the facts come from

Written for biofideX from these public sources. The pay figures are theirs, copied as published, last read 2026-10-25.

Requirements differ by country and change over time; check with the body that registers the profession where you will work. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.

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