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Occupational Report for Soil And Plant Scientists (19-1013) , Oregon Statewide
Occupational Description
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Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

Employment Outlook for Soil And Plant Scientists
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Statewide Employment Analysis 2006 employment is estimated to be at about the statewide average. This occupation is expected to grow at about the statewide average. Total job openings are projected to be at about the statewide average.

Reasonable, but limited, employment opportunities exist for trained workers.
Data Sources and Limitations
Current Job Openings for Soil And Plant Scientists
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There are 1 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 1 are listed below.
Job Title Date Posted Location Wage Offered
Agronomist 12/18/09 Hermiston $56,000/yr to $57,000/yr DOE, Neg.
State of Oregon License Information for Soil And Plant Scientists
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No statewide license is required for this occupation.
Wages for Soil And Plant Scientists
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Region ---------------- 2009 Wages ----------------
Percentiles (hourly wages) Avg
Hourly
($/hr)		 Avg
Annual
10th 25th 50th
(median)		 75th 90th
Oregon Statewide $19.47 $23.49 $29.69 $37.75 $43.39 $31.15 $64,778
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 18.03 28.45 36.43 48.48 58.55 37.53 78,046
Jackson / Josephine 25.92 28.02 31.50 36.50 39.73 32.12 66,824
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 21.02 24.66 30.10 37.34 45.35 31.14 64,759
Baker / Union / Wallowa 23.37 26.21 29.11 33.69 43.21 30.61 63,655
Grant / Harney / Malheur 19.75 23.13 27.65 31.51 39.20 28.23 58,721
Clackamas 30.94 35.86 38.50 41.17 42.83 37.10 77,169
Data Sources and Limitations
Regional Employment Projections for Soil And Plant Scientists
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Region Employment Change % Change Projected Annual Openings
2006 2016 Growth Replacement Total
Oregon Statewide 464 523 59 12.7% 6 9 15
Multnomah / Washington 109 118 9 8.3% 1 2 3
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 62 67 5 8.1% 1 1 2
Jackson / Josephine 52 51 -1 -1.9% 0 1 1
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 46 53 7 15.2% 1 1 2
Lane 34 40 6 17.6% 1 1 1
Clackamas 31 36 5 16.1% 1 1 1
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 29 31 2 6.9% 0 1 1
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 15 17 2 13.3% 0 0 1
Douglas 14 14 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Klamath / Lake 13 12 -1 -7.7% 0 0 0
Morrow / Umatilla 11 10 -1 -9.1% 0 0 0
Grant / Harney / Malheur 8 8 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Baker / Union / Wallowa 4 4 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Coos / Curry 3 3 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 2 2 0 0.0% 0 0 0

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Industries of Employment for Soil And Plant Scientists
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Industry
Click links to view infoUSA employers		 Ownership 2006
Employment
Total, All Industries All 464
Total, All Industries Private 247
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Private 71
Crop Production Private 51
Fruit and Tree Nut Farming Private 37
Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production Private 10
Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry Private 20
Support Activities for Crop Production Private 20
Manufacturing Private 14
Chemical Manufacturing Private 12
Wholesale Trade Private 27
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods Private 27
Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers Private 27
Retail Trade Private 12
Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers Private 10
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Private 68
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services Private 18
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services Private 24
Scientific Research and Development Services Private 26
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services Private 45
Administrative and Support Services Private 45
Services to Buildings and Dwellings Private 45
Total, All Industries Federal 156
Federal Government (Non-Postal) Federal 156
Total, All Industries Local 56
Public Administration Local 56
Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support Local 56
Educational Requirements for Soil And Plant Scientists
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Workers must have a bachelor's degree to gain the necessary skills for this occupation. However, those with a master's degree have a competitive advantage in this labor market.
Skills for Soil And Plant Scientists
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  • Analyze And Evaluate Ecosystem Data
  • Apply Basic Chemistry
  • Apply Biochemistry Theory
  • Apply Biological Theory
  • Apply Chemical Laboratory Tests
  • Apply Chemistry Theory
  • Apply Genetic Theory
  • Apply Horticultural Techniques
  • Apply Linear Algebra
  • Apply Mathematics To Statistical Modeling
  • Apply Physiological Knowledge
  • Apply Plant Disease Control Techniques
  • Apply Plant Materials Principles
  • Apply Principles Of Soil Protection, Improvement And Conservation
  • Apply Research Methodology To Science Or Engineering
  • Apply Soil Science Principles
  • Apply Statistical Methods
  • Conduct Chemical Analyses
  • Conduct Field Research
  • Conduct Investigations And Research
  • Conduct Laboratory Research
  • Conduct Qualitative Analysis
  • Conduct Quantitative Analysis
  • Convert Ideas Into Products
  • Design Tables Depicting Data
  • Develop And Revise Databases
  • Diagnose And Solve Agricultural Production Problems
  • Follow Hazardous Materials Specifications
  • Identify Tree And Plant Characteristics
  • Inspect Fields Or Forests To Detect Plant Diseases, Pest Infestations Or Noxious Weeds
  • Interpret And Apply Knowledge Of Relevant Laws
  • Judge Soil Conditions
  • Make Presentations
  • Prepare Reports In Timely Manner
  • Present Technical Papers And Research Results
  • Read And Interpret Aerial Photographs
  • Read Maps
  • Recognize Plant Disease
  • Research Work-Related Topics Using Library Resources
  • Use Algebra
  • Use Biological Research Techniques
  • Use Biological Testing Instruments
  • Use Calculus
  • Use Gis Software
  • Use Molecular Design Principles
  • Use On-Line Search Techniques
  • Use Quantitative Research Methods
  • Write Grant Proposals
  • Write Technical Papers From Original Research
Schools and Training Providers for Soil And Plant Scientists
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The training providers listed below offer one or more of the following programs:

Linn-Benton Community College
6500 Pacific Blvd SW
Albany, OR 97321
Phone: (541) 917-4999
Programs of Training:
 Oregon State University
104 Kerr Administration Bldg.
Corvallis, OR 97331
Phone: (541) 737-0123
Programs of Training:
Career Pathway Roadmaps for Soil And Plant Scientists
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No Career Pathway links were found for this occupation.
Related Occupations
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The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Soil And Plant Scientists matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Agricultural And Food Scientists 79%
Biological Scientists, All Other 60%
Food Scientists And Technologists 60%
Conservation Scientists 59%
Biochemists And Biophysicists 59%
Animal Scientists 57%
Life Scientists, All Other 56%
Microbiologists 54%
Zoologists And Wildlife Biologists 53%
Foresters 51%