Agronomist

What does an agronomist do?

• Visit farms to inspect crops, soils and growing conditions.
• Advise farmers on crop varieties, planting, fertilisers, irrigation and pest control.
• Take soil and plant samples and interpret laboratory results.
• Run field trials to test new crop varieties, products or farming methods.
• Use satellite images, drones and farm data to guide decisions.
• Develop plans to protect soil health, water quality and biodiversity.
• Keep up to date with rules on pesticides, fertilisers and the environment.

Where do they work?

Agronomists work for seed, fertiliser and crop protection companies, farm advisory businesses, cooperatives, large farms, food companies, government agriculture departments, research institutes and international development organisations. Many spend much of their time on farms and driving between clients, especially during the growing season. Others work mainly in laboratories, trial fields or offices. Workloads follow the farming calendar, with busy periods at planting and harvest. Many jobs are in rural areas.

What skills do you need?

• Plant and soil science
• Crop protection and pest management
• Field trial design and statistics
• Precision farming tools and GIS
• Knowledge of farming systems
• Communication with farmers
• Practical problem solving
• Sales and customer relationships

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• supervise hygiene procedures in agricultural settings
• gather experimental data
• research improvement of crop yields
• perform laboratory tests
• apply horticultural standards and practices
• execute analytical mathematical calculations
• write work-related reports
• apply safety procedures in laboratory
• manage nutrients
• consult with business clients
• use agricultural information systems and databases
• manage livestock

Essential knowledge: crop production principles · horticulture principles · pesticides · irrigation systems · environmental legislation · European pesticide legislation · plant harvest methods · plant disease control

How do you become an agronomist?

Most agronomists have a bachelor's degree in agronomy, agriculture, crop science, plant science, soil science or biology. A master's is common for research, specialist and senior roles, and research scientists usually have a PhD. Practical farm experience is very valuable, whether it comes from growing up on a farm, summer jobs or placements. Many graduates start as trainee agronomists with suppliers or advisory firms. People with farming experience can move into agronomy through part-time study, and some countries offer vocational agriculture courses that lead into advisory work.

1. Agriculture or agronomy degree. A degree in agronomy, agriculture or crop science covers plant biology, soil science, crop protection, farm management and agricultural economics, often with fieldwork and a farm placement. In many countries, agronomy is taught as agricultural engineering or agricultural science, and some of these programmes last five years.
2. Science degree and specialisation. Graduates in biology, plant science, chemistry or environmental science can move into agronomy through a master's or a trainee job with an agricultural company. Employers expect you to learn practical farming quickly, so work experience on farms makes a big difference.
3. Vocational and farming route. People who have worked on farms or completed vocational agricultural training can become advisers after further study and certification. Some countries offer recognised adviser qualifications, for example in crop protection or nutrient management. This route values practical knowledge, but a degree helps with research and senior roles.

Degrees that lead to this career

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Do you need a licence to work as an agronomist?

In most countries you do not need a licence to work as an agronomist. However, in some countries, such as Brazil and Italy, agronomy is a regulated profession, and you must register with a professional body to practise or to use the title. Advising on or applying pesticides usually needs a separate certificate or licence. Voluntary certification, such as Certified Crop Adviser in the United States and Canada, is also common. Check the rules where you want to work.

How much does an agronomist earn?

Pay in the United States

• $78,850Median annual wage, May 2025
• $48,680–$138,120Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 15.7KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 19-1013, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes agronomist and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Trainee or graduate agronomist
2. Agronomist or crop adviser
3. Senior agronomist
4. Technical manager or research lead
5. Head of agronomy or technical director

Job outlook

The world needs to produce more food while using less land, water and chemicals, and farming must adapt to climate change. This supports demand for agronomists, especially in sustainable farming, soil health, precision farming and crops that can cope with drought or heat. Farm incomes and food prices can affect how much farmers spend on advice. Sensors, satellite data and software are changing the job, so agronomists with data and technology skills are likely to be in demand.

Questions about becoming an agronomist

What does an agronomist do?

An agronomist helps farmers produce healthy, profitable crops while protecting soil, water and the environment. Day to day, this can include inspecting fields, testing soil, identifying plant diseases and pests, and recommending fertilisers, crop varieties and irrigation. Some agronomists work in research, running field trials to develop better crops and farming methods.

Do you need to grow up on a farm to become an agronomist?

No. Many successful agronomists come from cities. But you do need a good understanding of how farms work, so placements, summer jobs and time with farmers are very valuable. Farmers are more likely to trust advice from someone who understands their daily challenges and the economics of farming.

What is the difference between an agronomist and an agricultural scientist?

Agricultural science is a broad field that includes crops, animals, soils, food and farm economics. Agronomy is the part that focuses on crops and soils. In practice the titles overlap, and many countries use agronomist for both advisers and researchers. Agricultural scientists may also work with livestock or food processing.

Is agronomy a good career?

It can be a good choice if you enjoy science, working outdoors and helping people solve practical problems. Food production is needed everywhere, and there is growing interest in sustainable farming and new technology. Many jobs are in rural areas, and the work can be seasonal and depend on the weather. Farm experience and a driving licence are often expected.

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Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 19-1013, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2132.2

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become an agronomist: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/agronomist/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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