General
Plant Science And Agronomy
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Plant Science And Agronomy.
Entry Level Salary
$40,000
Median Salary
$75,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
38.4%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,000,000
Entry (Early)
$40,000
Median (Prime)
$75,000
High (Prime)
$78,000
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-95k
+203k
+227k
$25k / yr
-185k
+113k
+137k
$50k / yr
-275k
+23k
+47k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
27
$25k / yr
Never
36
35
$50k / yr
Never
54
48
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-170%
104%
126%
$50k / yr
-126%
11%
22%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate25.9%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
7.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$42,830
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,000|$87,980
openings
85,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.3%
Agricultural and food scientists
5.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,000|$78,770
openings
3,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Management occupations
4.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$86,664
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,589|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
3.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$20,825
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$59,779|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Agricultural workers
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$31,085
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$41,000|$36,020
openings
123,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2.8%
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$26,031
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$40,116|$38,090
openings
158,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.6%
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$24,990
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,391|$74,100
openings
142,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$61,903
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,000|$56,170
openings
23,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.3%
Physical scientists, all other
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$29,497
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,011|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Secondary school teachers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$34,217
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,757|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| plant sciences. | Undergrad Certificate | 11 | Data N/A |
| plant sciences. | Associate's Degree | 30 | $61,971 - $61,971 |
| plant sciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 83 | $30,252 - $82,487 |
| plant sciences. | Master's Degree | 55 | $59,219 - $116,149 |
| plant sciences. | Doctoral Degree | 40 | Data N/A |