by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Soil Chemistry & Physics involves the study of Soil Chemistry And Physics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Chemical And Physical Principles To Research And Analysis Concerning The Nature And Properties Of Soils And The Conservation And Management Of Soils. Includes Instruction In Soil And Fluid Mechanics, Mineralogy, Sedimentology, Thermodynamics, Geomorphology, Environmental Systems, Analytical Methods, And Organic And Inorganic Chemistry. Read on to learn the essential details every soil chemistry & physics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering soil chemistry & physics programs.
In the U.S., soil chemistry & physics is a popular field of study, with 23 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Soil Chemistry & Physics Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for soil chemistry & physics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of soil chemistry & physics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Soil Chemistry & Physics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations soil chemistry & physics graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a soil chemistry & physics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a soil chemistry & physics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several soil chemistry & physics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 21 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to soil chemistry & physics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 41.9% |
| Master’s degree | 19.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 18.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.3% |
| First professional degree | 1.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in soil chemistry & physics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying soil chemistry & physics can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to soil chemistry & physics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to soil chemistry & physics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 172,528 | 3.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of soil chemistry & physics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $51,851 |
| 4 years | $52,838 |
| 5 years | $61,652 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for soil chemistry & physics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers soil chemistry & physics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $59,587 |
With 1 different soil chemistry & physics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased soil chemistry & physics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in soil chemistry & physics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Soil Science and Agronomy, General | 358 |
| Soil Sciences, Other | 55 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
