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Crop Breeding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Operation Specialist - Field

Woodland, CA

$64K - $96K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Partner with the Agronomy team to support irrigation, fertility, crop management, and other agronomic activities as needed. * Collaborate with breeding teams and peers to coordinate project ...

Assistant Plant Breeder

Brookston, IN · On-site

$26.97/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, or a related field, or completion of degree requirements in progress. * Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Operation Specialist - Field

Woodland, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Partner with the Agronomy team to support irrigation, fertility, crop management, and other agronomic activities as needed. * Collaborate with breeding teams and peers to coordinate project ...

Assistant Plant Breeder

Brookston, IN

$26.97/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, or a related field, or completion of degree requirements in progress. * Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

... crops to sustainably feed our population. Ohalo's breakthrough technology, Boosted Breeding, will usher in a new era of improved productivity to radically transform global agriculture. For more ...

Research Farm Technician

Arlington, WI · On-site

$17.50 - $24.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... the breeding, evaluation, and development of superior germplasm for use in vegetable seed markets worldwide. Essential duties and responsibilities include: * Lead and execute crop management ...

... breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops to sustainably feed our ...

... breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops to sustainably feed our ...

Seed Production Associate

Windsor, CO · On-site

$14.75 - $18.75/hr

Permanent Seed Production Associate Main Goal Assist production manager with Breeder seed ... Technical Skills - Practical knowledge and experience in all aspects of crop production and/or seed ...

... breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops to sustainably feed our ...

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Uvalde, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... breeding of cultivars for vegetable crops and will assist Dr. Subas Malla in managing the logistics, reporting, communication, outreach, organization, and budget oversight for the 4-year USDA NIFA ...

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Uvalde, TX

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... breeding of cultivars for vegetable crops and will assist Dr. Subas Malla in managing the logistics, reporting, communication, outreach, organization, and budget oversight for the 4-year USDA NIFA ...

Showing results 41-60

Crop Breeding information

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$25K

$69.4K

$99K

How much do crop breeding jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for crop breeding in the United States is $69,416.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Crop Breeding vs Plant Geneticist?

AspectCrop BreedingPlant Geneticist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Agriculture, Plant Science, or related fields; experience in breeding programsDegree in Genetics, Plant Biology, or related; often advanced degrees for research roles
Work EnvironmentField trials, breeding stations, laboratoriesLaboratories, research institutions, universities
Industry UsageApplied breeding programs to develop new crop varietiesResearch on genetic mechanisms, gene editing, and trait development

While both roles focus on improving plants, Crop Breeding involves practical development of new crop varieties through crossing and selection, often in field settings. Plant Geneticists conduct research on plant genes and traits, often in labs, to understand and manipulate plant genetics. Both are essential in agriculture but differ in their focus and work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by crop breeders, and how can they be addressed in the workplace?

Crop breeders often encounter challenges such as managing long breeding cycles, adapting to changing climate conditions, and integrating new technologies like genomics into traditional methods. Addressing these obstacles typically involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, continuous learning, and staying updated on the latest scientific advancements. Employers often support breeders through training, access to advanced lab facilities, and opportunities to collaborate with researchers in genetics, data science, and agronomy, which helps to streamline processes and improve outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a crop breeder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Crop Breeder, you need expertise in plant genetics, agronomy, and data analysis, usually supported by a degree in plant science, genetics, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as molecular markers, gene editing technologies, and statistical software is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the development of improved crop varieties, driving agricultural productivity and sustainability.

What is crop breeding?

Crop breeding is the science and practice of improving plants to develop new varieties with desirable traits such as higher yield, disease resistance, drought tolerance, and improved nutritional quality. Plant breeders use techniques like cross-breeding, selection, and modern genetic tools to combine the best traits from different plants. This process helps create crops that are more productive and better suited to specific environmental conditions, benefiting both farmers and consumers.
More about Crop Breeding jobs

What cities are hiring for Crop Breeding jobs?

Cities with the most Crop Breeding job openings:

What states have the most Crop Breeding jobs?

States with the most job openings for Crop Breeding jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Crop Breeding jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Crop Breeding jobs are:

Infographic showing various Crop Breeding job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,416 per year, or $33.4 per hour.

Operation Specialist - Field

Syngenta

Woodland, CA

$64K - $96K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Company Description

SyngentaAt Syngenta Vegetables and Flowers, we're cultivating tomorrow's diversity through innovative breeding that brings vibrant colors to gardens and nutritious vegetables to tables worldwide. We combine centuries of seed heritage with cutting-edge innovation to develop resilient, high-performing varieties that thrive in diverse climates. Join us in shaping the future of sustainable horticulture, where every seed holds the potential to enhance lives through better nutrition and natural beauty.

Job Description

The Operations Specialist - Field is responsible for the successful execution of field, greenhouse, and cage operations, ensuring breeding activities are completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule. This role provides day-to-day operational leadership and serves as a key operational partner to the Agronomy team, supporting irrigation, crop management, field readiness, and other agronomic activities as needed.

Accountabilities:

  • Execute field and cage operations such as sowing, marker sampling, transplanting, pollination, plant maintenance, harvest, and seed extraction.
  • Communicate with, supervise and train third-party contract labor teams of up to 40 people, ensuring quality standards and performance metrics are met.
  • Maintain detailed records about status of trials and plant metrics, while working closely with the data collection team.
  • Partner with the Agronomy team to support irrigation, fertility, crop management, and other agronomic activities as needed.
  • Collaborate with breeding teams and peers to coordinate project activities and communicate status updates.
  • Respond to field emergencies and weather-related challenges, including occasional weekend work as needed.
  • Ensure compliance with all safety protocols and stewardship practices.
Qualifications

PLEASE NOTE -- Candidates must be already located in the United States and not require visa sponsorship now or in the future (Includes OPT).

  • Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Plant Breeding, Agribusiness, Agronomy, Biology, Horticulture, General Agriculture or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Proficiency in MS Office Suite and database management.
  • Knowledge of crop production systems, soil fertility, irrigation, and integrated pest management (IPM).
  • Experience conducting field trials, collecting agronomic data, and evaluating crop performance
  • Ability to identify crop health issues, nutrient deficiencies, diseases, weeds, and insect pests.
  • Experience with agricultural equipment.
  • Strong organizational and planning skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Excellent communication skills; bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
  • Experience with or ability to learn specialized software and data collection tools.
Additional Information

Salary range for this position is $64,000 - $96,000 annually.

What We Offer:

  • A culture that celebrates belonging & collaboration, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs. 
  • Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day.  
  • 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution. 
  • Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits. 


Syngenta has been ranked as atop employerby Science Journal. 
Learn more about ourteamand ourmission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI 
Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

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