Agricultural scientist
Also called agriculture researcher, agriculture research scientist, agricultural quality scientist
Agricultural scientists research and study soil, animals and plants with the objective of improving agricultural processes, the quality of agricultural products or the impact of agricultural processes on the environment. They plan and implement projects such as development projects on behalf of clients or institutions.
What you'd do
Farming, forestry and fisheries advisers · ILO- Collecting and analysing data and samples related to produce, feed, soil, water quality and other factors affecting farm, forest or fishery production
- Advising on techniques for improving the production of crops, livestock and fish, and alternative production options
- Advising on livestock and crop disease, control of pests and weeds, soil improvement, animal husbandry and feeding programmes
- Studying the environmental factors affecting commercial crop production, pasture growth, animal breeding, fish stocks and the growth and health of forest trees
- Studying the effects of cultivation techniques, soils, insects, diseases and fisheries practices on animal, crop, forestry and fisheries yield
- Studying fish migration, growth, feeding and spawning and devising methods of collecting, fertilizing, incubating and hatching fish eggs
- Researching into characteristics, use capability and productivity of soils and applying findings to development of improved agricultural, horticultural and forestry practices
- Developing procedures and techniques for solving agricultural problems and improving the efficiency of production
- Managing forest and fisheries resources to maximize their long-term commercial, recreational and environmental benefits
- Studying the propagation and culture of forest trees, methods for improving the growth of stock, and the effects of thinning on forest yields
- Investigating, planning and implementing management procedures to cope with the effects of fires, floods, droughts, soil erosion, pests and diseases
- Preparing scientific reports and conducting advisory information sessions and lectures for farming, forestry and fishing communities and other groups
- Indoors and outdoors
- A mix of sitting and standing
- Lots of contact with people
- Some freedom to decide
- Usually 40 hours a week
- Deadlines now and then
- Some repetitive tasks
Will there be jobs?
Yes, good prospectsMany jobs will need filling by 2035.
Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.
What does it pay?
Above averagePay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark), before tax.
Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.
Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat
What do I need to study?
Usually a degreeA degree in crop and livestock production is the usual route.
330 institutions in the EU offer agriculture bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.
Will AI change it?
Very littleAI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.
Average task score 0.29 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).
See the score for each of the 12 tasks
Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for farming, forestry and fisheries advisers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).