💡 Why it matters: Soils and weather are changing, and farmers need advice on fertiliser, water and crop choice. Agronomists use science to raise yields without ruining the land for the next generation.
🌍 Around the world
- Nigeria: Soils across Nigeria are changing, and farmers need advice on fertiliser, water and crop choice.
- United States: Jobs for agricultural and food scientists are projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than average (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
💰 What it can pay
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Starting out
- ₦1.5M – ₦3.5M
- Mid-career
- ₦4M – ₦9M
- Senior
- ₦9M – ₦22M
≈ ₦333k – ₦750k a month mid-career. Indicative estimate by Incusim.
🇺🇸 United States
Closest US category: Agricultural and food scientists. Median pay; low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
🇨🇦 Canada
Job Bank occupation: Agronomist. Hourly wage low/high x 2,080 hours. Job Bank (Government of Canada), 2023-2024
Yearly pay before tax. UK, US and Canada figures come from the official sources named on each card. Nigeria has no official salary survey, so those are our indicative estimates. Real pay depends on the employer, the place, your skills and experience.
🛠️ What you actually do
- Test soil and plan what nutrients crops need
- Run field trials of new seeds and methods
- Advise farms and companies on pests and disease
- Study how weather affects yields
- Write reports with clear advice for farmers
⚡ Skills you'll need
- Science knowledge
- Data analysis
- Curiosity
- Communication
- Fieldwork
Get ready at school
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Work as a field technician then study further
- Short courses in soil testing and precision agriculture
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Graduate training schemes with consultancies and agrochemical, seed or fertiliser companies
- Agriculture apprenticeships, then specialise
🇺🇸 United States
- Start as a field or lab technician at a seed company, co-op or farm
- Land-grant university internships
🇨🇦 Canada
- Agriculture college diploma, then work as a crop technician
- Co-op work terms with crop-input companies
🗺️ Your path to this career
- 1Study Chemistry, Biology and Agricultural Science in school
- 2Grow plants in different soils and compare results
- 3Earn a degree in agronomy, crop science or soil science
- 4Join a research institute, seed company or large farm
- 5Specialise or get a Master's for research and senior advisory roles
⏰ A day in the life
You collect soil samples from three fields, take them to the lab and read last week's results. You then explain to a farm owner why the maize is yellowing and recommend the right fertiliser.