ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Independent Contractor Soil Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Provost & Pritchard

Soil Scientist

Visalia, CA · On-site

Strong initiative, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and collaboratively. * Preferred Qualifications * Masters degree in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural ...

Provost & Pritchard

Soil Scientist

Visalia, CA · On-site

Strong initiative, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and collaboratively. * Preferred Qualifications * Master's degree in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural ...

Timmons Group

Licensed Soil Scientist

Richmond, VA · On-site

$70K - $82K/yr

The Licensed Soil Scientist will support a variety of environmental, land development, and natural ... Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary project team while managing ...

GAI Consultants

SPC Soil Scientist

Homestead, PA

Certification by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) (e.g., Certified Professional Soil ... Ability to work independently in field settings and collaboratively within multidisciplinary ...

GAI Consultants Inc.

SPC Soil Scientist

Homestead, PA · On-site

Certification by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) (e.g., Certified Professional Soil ... Ability to work independently in field settings and collaboratively within multidisciplinary ...

GAI Consultants

SPC Soil Scientist

Homestead, PA · On-site

Certification by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) (e.g., Certified Professional Soil ... Ability to work independently in field settings and collaboratively within multidisciplinary ...

Timmons Group

Licensed Soil Scientist

Richmond, VA

The Licensed Soil Scientist will support a variety of environmental, land development, and natural ... Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary project team while managing ...

GAI Consultants

SPC Soil Scientist

Canonsburg, PA

Certification by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) (e.g., Certified Professional Soil ... Ability to work independently in field settings and collaboratively within multidisciplinary ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsIndependent Contractor Soil Scientist Jobs

Independent Contractor Soil Scientist information

See salary details

$50.5K

$111.3K

$137.5K

How much do independent contractor soil scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for independent contractor soil scientist in the United States is $111,343.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,500.00 and $137,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does an independent contractor soil scientist get paid?

An independent contractor soil scientist typically earns between $25 and $50 per hour, depending on experience, certifications, and project complexity. Compensation can also be project-based or hourly, with some contractors earning higher rates for specialized skills or advanced equipment use.

What jobs can you get with a soil scientist degree?

A soil scientist degree qualifies individuals for roles such as environmental consultant, soil analyst, land use planner, and environmental technician. These jobs often involve field sampling, laboratory analysis, and data interpretation, requiring knowledge of soil properties, environmental regulations, and often the use of GIS tools.

What is the difference between Independent Contractor Soil Scientist vs Soil Technician?

AspectIndependent Contractor Soil ScientistSoil Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a Bachelor's or Master's in Soil Science or Geology, with relevant certificationsUsually requires a high school diploma or associate degree, with some technical training
Work EnvironmentField and office work, often freelance or project-basedPrimarily fieldwork, often employed by consulting firms or government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by consulting firms, environmental companies, and independent projectsCommonly employed by environmental firms, government agencies, and research labs

The main difference is that Independent Contractor Soil Scientists typically hold advanced credentials and work independently on projects, while Soil Technicians usually have technical training and work under supervision in field settings. Both roles are essential in soil analysis but differ in responsibilities and employment structure.

Are soil scientists in demand?

Soil scientists are in steady demand due to their role in environmental assessment, land use planning, and sustainable agriculture. Employment opportunities are often available in government agencies, consulting firms, and research institutions, especially for those with strong fieldwork skills and relevant certifications.
More about Independent Contractor Soil Scientist jobs
What cities are hiring for Independent Contractor Soil Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Independent Contractor Soil Scientist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Soil Scientist jobs? The most popular types of Soil Scientist jobs are:
What states have the most Independent Contractor Soil Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Independent Contractor Soil Scientist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Independent Contractor Soil Scientist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Independent Contractor Soil Scientist jobs are:
Independent Contractor Soil Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Independent Contractor Soil Scientist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 74% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,343 per year, or $53.5 per hour.

Soil Scientist

Provost & Pritchard

Visalia, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Salary: $35-$50

Summary

Provost & Pritchard is seeking a Soil Scientist to join our agricultural and environmental consulting team in Visalia, California.


This position offers the opportunity to work on meaningful projects at the intersection of agriculture, water quality, irrigation, nutrient management, salinity, wastewater management, and environmental consulting throughout Central California. Clients include growers, dairies, wineries, food processors, agricultural organizations, nonprofits, and public agencies.


We are looking for someone that wants to support California agriculture and water resources management through practical, effective, and data-driven solutions.


Responsibilities

  • Support agricultural water quality and environmental compliance programs such as the California Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP).
  • Support groundwater and surface water quality monitoring programs.
  • Analyze and interpret agricultural, soil, irrigation, nutrient, and environmental data.
  • Prepare technical reports, regulatory deliverables, data summaries, visualizations, and trend analyses.
  • Evaluate and support improved agricultural management practices to protect water quality.
  • Support grower education and outreach efforts.
  • Assist with irrigation, nutrient, salinity, and wastewater management planning.
  • Support wastewater, land application, and beneficial reuse projects.
  • Conduct field sampling and site investigations involving soil, water, wastewater, crops, ponds, wells, and vadose zones.
  • Evaluate soil-water, nutrient, and salt balances using Microsoft Excel and programming tools.
  • Prepareregulatorymonitoring reports andpermittingdocuments, including Reports of Waste Discharge.
  • Assist with field investigations involving soil infiltration and permeability testing.
  • Assist with agronomic field trials, fate and transport projects, and other specialized soil, land use, and agricultural consulting projects.
  • Assist with projects related to agricultural grants, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS), stormwater management, sediment and erosion control, and TMDL implementation.

Qualifications

  • Bachelors degree in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, or a related field required.
  • Strong interest in a career in agriculture, soil science, irrigation, and water quality.
  • Excellent technical writing, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Experience or interest in environmental consulting, regulatory compliance, and project management.
  • Some experience in data analysis and data QAQC.
  • Experienced with Microsoft Office 365, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
  • Strong initiative, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Masters degree in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, or a related field.
  • Knowledge of California agricultural, environmental, and wastewater regulations, including the Central Valley ILRP, Central Coast Ag Order 4.0, SGMA, CV-SALTS, Winery General Order, and others.
  • Experience with tools such as GIS, R/RStudio, Python, remote sensing, data analysis and visualization, and related AI tools.
  • Familiarity with irrigation, evapotranspiration, nutrient management, salinity management, and/or soil-water balances and hydrologic modeling.
  • Experience in environmental statistics, analytical laboratory methods, and data QA/QC procedures.

Professional Development

Although not required, Provost & Pritchard supports professional development toward credentials such as Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS), Certified Crop Adviser (CCA), Professional Engineer (PE), Professional Geologist (PG), and others.


Why Join Provost & Pritchard

Join a collaborative, employee-owned firm where your work supports California agriculture, water resources, and environmental sustainability. You will have the opportunity to build technical expertise, work on diverse projects, and grow your career with mentorship and support.