by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Soil Microbiology covers Soil Microbiology. A Program That Focuses On Application Of Microbiological Theory And Methods To The Study Of The Organismic Properties Of Soils, Soil-Plant And Soil-Animal Interactions, And The Biological Components And Effects Of Soil Management Strategies. Includes Instruction In Microbiology And Related Biological Sciences, Applicable Animal And Plant Sciences, Soil Chemistry And Physics As Related To Biological Characteristics, And Environmental Science. Continue reading for the important information every soil microbiology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering soil microbiology programs.
Coursework for Soil Microbiology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations soil microbiology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a soil microbiology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a soil microbiology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
People currently working in careers related to soil microbiology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 31.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 22.7% |
| Master’s degree | 18.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.3% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in soil microbiology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in soil microbiology can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to soil microbiology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to soil microbiology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 172,528 | 3.7% |
| Microbiologists | 140,194 | -2.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of soil microbiology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 microbiology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers soil microbiology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Microbiologists | $73,155 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $59,587 |
Use our unbiased soil microbiology school rankings to find the best fit for you.
If you are interested in soil microbiology, 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 |
| Soil Chemistry and Physics | 23 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
