by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Plant Physiology involves the study of Plant Physiology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Plant Internal Dynamics And Systems, Plant-Environment Interaction, And Plant Life Cycles And Processes. Includes Instruction In Cell And Molecular Biology; Plant Nutrition; Plant Respiration; Plant Growth, Behavior, And Reproduction; Photosynthesis; Plant Systemics; And Ecology. Continue reading for the important information every plant physiology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering plant physiology programs.
Across the country, plant physiology is a popular field of study, with 15 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Plant Physiology Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for plant physiology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of plant physiology programs later in this article.
Studies in Plant Physiology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations plant physiology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a plant physiology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a plant physiology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several plant physiology 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 13 |
People currently working in careers related to plant physiology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.2% |
| Master’s degree | 18.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 18.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.2% |
| Some college courses | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| First professional degree | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in plant physiology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in plant physiology opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to plant physiology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to plant physiology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 172,528 | 3.7% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of plant physiology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,663 |
| 4 years | $39,154 |
| 5 years | $38,098 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for plant physiology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers plant physiology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $59,587 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
With 2 different plant physiology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased plant physiology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in plant physiology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Botany/Plant Biology | 538 |
| Plant Pathology/Phytopathology | 151 |
| Botany/Plant Biology, Other | 47 |
| Plant Molecular Biology | 12 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
