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Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Job Description: Agronomy involves the science and economics of crop production. Agronomists study how field crops grow. They work to improve the quality and yield of field crops. Agronomists conduct experiments and research on field-crop problems. Some agronomists may specialize in one particular crop or crop problem. They may also be called agricultural scientists, plant scientists, or crop research scientists.
Duties: Agronomists study plants and their growth in soil in order to help food producers continue to feed our growing population. They may study some or all of the following:
- Management of farm land
- Development of new crop growth methods
- Control of diseases, pests, and weeds
- Crop rotation
- Seedbed preparation
- Botanical relationships
- Suitable plant varieties
- Soil and fertilizer requirements
- Planting methods
- Methods of cultivation and harvesting
- Effects of climate conditions on crops
For additional information on tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, work activities, work contexts, job zones, interests, work styles, work values, and related occupations, visit the O*Net Online, a division of the National Center for Occupational Information.
Working Conditions: Agronomists may work for research firms, universities, agribusinesses, and service companies. They may work indoors in offices and laboratories. Some agronomists spend much of their time working outdoors conducting research on farms or at agricultural research stations.
Educational Requirements: Becoming an agronomist requires from 4 to 10 years of training depending on the area of specialization. A bachelor's degree in agricultural science is sufficient for some jobs in the field; however, many positions now require advanced degrees. The American Society of Agronomy offers certification programs in crops, agronomy, crop advising, soils, horticulture, plant pathology, and weed science. To become certified, applicants must pass designated examinations and meet certain standards with respect to education and professional work experience. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Agriculture Standards, Competency Profiles, and Resource Links online.
Outlook: The estimated number of agricultural and food scientists (including agronomists) in Tennessee is 292. It is projected there will be a 6 percent increase in employment in this occupation through the year 2012 with only 10 job openings annually. For additional information on this occupation, visit the nationally recognized Occupational Outlook Handbook or Agronomic Links Around the Globe, a collection of links to websites for crop, soil, and environmental issues from around the world online.
| 10% | 25% | Median- 50% | 75% | 90% | |
| TN Annual | $32,730 | $51,440 | $59,230 | $69,080 | $78,380 |
| US Annual | $33,650 | $42,410 | $56,080 | $72,020 | $93,460 |
*Some salaries are listed at an hourly rate. Those that include a single dollar amount are considered hourly wage.
Wage and salary data provided by:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
- TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
- Bureau of Economic Analysis website
For an explanation of salary data please visit acinet.org
Last updated on: January 22, 2008