Entry Level Salary
$45,020
Median Salary
$78,785
Unemployment Rate
1.1%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
31.7%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,151,400
Entry (Early)
$45,020
Median (Prime)
$78,785
High (Prime)
$98,000
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
-49k
+233k
+389k
$25k / yr
-139k
+143k
+299k
$50k / yr
-229k
+54k
+209k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
25
$25k / yr
Never
34
29
$50k / yr
Never
47
35
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-128%
132%
275%
$50k / yr
-106%
25%
96%
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 Rate40.8%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Agricultural and food scientists
8.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,692|$78,770
openings
3,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Postsecondary teachers
6.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$26,303
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$30,951|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Conservation scientists and foresters
4.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,765
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,894|$69,060
openings
3,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.7%
First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,750
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,000|$56,170
openings
23,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.3%
Management occupations
3.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$63,366
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$143,470|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,553
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$73,158|$80,060
openings
8,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$73,827
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$113,580|$84,130
openings
24,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Software developers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$83,850
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$129,000|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Compliance officers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,579
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,275|$78,420
openings
33,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3%
General and operations managers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$54,399
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,691|$102,950
openings
308,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| soil sciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 20 | $57,348 - $88,563 |
| soil sciences. | Master's Degree | 20 | $63,555 - $63,555 |
| soil sciences. | Doctoral Degree | 13 | Data N/A |