Soil and Plant Scientists
The short answer
This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 42 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with more than half of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 96% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Conservation Scientists
Very similar workslightly less pay122 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$79,144 vs your $79,980 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- English Language
- Biology
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
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Foresters
Very similar workslightly less pay74 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$75,770 vs your $79,980 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Biology
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Written Comprehension
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
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Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Very similar work+6% pay506 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 6% more—$84,461 vs your $79,980 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Microbiologists
Similar work+4% pay100 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 4% more—$83,363 vs your $79,980 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Biology
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Reading Comprehension
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Similar work+11% pay73 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 11% more—$88,826 vs your $79,980 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
New skills to build
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Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Somewhat similar work+14% pay3,744 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 14% more—$90,868 vs your $79,980 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Biology
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Management of Financial Resources
- Economics and Accounting
- Transportation
- Sales and Marketing
Food Scientists and Technologists
Somewhat similar work+21% pay60 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 21% more—$96,701 vs your $79,980 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Chemistry
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Food Production