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Soil Lab Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

NV5

Lab Technician

Riverside, CA

$20 - $25/hr

Physical ability to perform labor-intensive work including but not limited the safe handling and transport of concrete samples, soil samples, and other lab related materials. * Must have a valid ...

NV5

Lab Technician

Riverside, CA

$20 - $25/hr

Physical ability to perform labor-intensive work including but not limited the safe handling and transport of concrete samples, soil samples, and other lab related materials. Qualifications * Must ...

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All JobsSoil Lab JobsSoil Lab Jobs in California

Soil Lab information

See California salary details

$12

$22

$33

How much do soil lab jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for soil lab in California is $22.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $23.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a soil testing technician make?

A soil testing technician typically earns between $35,000 and $55,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced technicians with specialized skills can earn higher wages, often working in laboratory or field environments with tools like soil analyzers.

What is the highest paying lab technician job?

The highest paying lab technician roles are often in specialized fields such as clinical laboratory management, research and development, or environmental testing, with salaries increasing for those with advanced certifications or degrees. Positions in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or environmental consulting tend to offer higher compensation, especially for those with extensive experience or supervisory responsibilities.

What is the difference between Soil Lab vs Soil Technician?

AspectSoil LabSoil Technician
CertificationsOften requires a degree in soil science, environmental science, or related fieldsTypically requires a high school diploma or associate degree, with some certifications in soil sampling or testing
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, analyzing soil samples and dataFieldwork, collecting soil samples from various sites
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, environmental agencies, agricultural companiesConstruction, agriculture, environmental consulting firms

While both Soil Lab and Soil Technician roles involve working with soil, Soil Lab professionals primarily analyze samples in a lab setting and often hold higher educational credentials. Soil Technicians focus on field sampling and data collection, supporting lab analysis. Both roles are essential in soil-related industries but differ in work environment and required qualifications.

How do I become a soil tester?

To become a soil tester, typically you need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with knowledge of soil science or related fields. Gaining experience through internships or training in laboratory techniques, and obtaining relevant certifications such as soil testing or environmental analysis, can improve job prospects. Familiarity with laboratory equipment and safety procedures is also important.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in a soil lab, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in a soil lab often face challenges such as maintaining sample integrity, managing high sample volumes, and ensuring precise calibration of analytical instruments. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills are essential to prevent cross-contamination between samples. Effective communication and collaboration with agronomists, environmental scientists, and field technicians also play a key role in interpreting results and ensuring data accuracy. Regular training and adherence to strict laboratory protocols help address these challenges and support reliable soil analysis.

What does a soil lab do?

A soil lab is responsible for analyzing soil samples to determine their physical, chemical, and biological properties. This analysis helps farmers, gardeners, and environmental professionals understand soil fertility, pH levels, nutrient content, and the presence of contaminants. The results from a soil lab can guide decisions about fertilization, crop selection, and land management to improve plant growth and environmental sustainability. Soil labs use specialized equipment and scientific methods to ensure accurate and reliable results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Soil Lab Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Soil Lab Technician, you need a solid understanding of soil science, laboratory procedures, and data analysis, often supported by a degree in environmental science, agronomy, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instruments such as pH meters, spectrophotometers, and software for data management is essential. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective teamwork are key soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure accurate soil analysis, reliable data interpretation, and effective collaboration, which are vital for supporting agricultural and environmental decision-making.

Is it hard to become a soil scientist?

Becoming a soil scientist typically requires a bachelor's degree in soil science, geology, environmental science, or a related field, with advanced positions often needing a master's or Ph.D. It also involves developing skills in laboratory analysis, fieldwork, and data interpretation, and obtaining relevant certifications can enhance job prospects.
What are popular job titles related to Soil Lab jobs in California? For Soil Lab jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Soil Lab jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Soil Lab jobs in California are:
Soil Lab jobs near you
Infographic showing various Soil Lab job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,250 per year, or $22.2 per hour.
Soil Chemistry / ICP Instrumentation Consultant

Soil Chemistry / ICP Instrumentation Consultant

EarthOptics

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$1.0K - $1.5K/day

Contractor

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Join EarthOptics as the Soil Chemistry / ICP Instrumentation Consultant!
Our mission is to be the leading soil information company, delivering maps that growers, farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders use to cost-effectively increase yields and improve soil health and the climate. We are creating a future where traditional sampling methods are obsolete.
At EarthOptics, we are combining cutting-edge genomic analysis, data science, microbiology, and remote sensing to revolutionize agriculture. Our unified mission is to help farmers and ranchers sustainably increase their yields and feed the growing world through all things soil.
We are a growing company with a passion for soil health, innovative technologies, and supporting all within the food value chain. We currently have ~100 individuals spread across 20 states and 2 countries, and they come from all walks of life, industries, and experiences. We are deeply focused on building the future of AgTech and sustainability and helping the world see soil differently.
EarthOptics is seeking an experienced Soil Chemistry / ICP Instrumentation Consultant to support high-throughput soil chemistry operations in our Emeryville, CA lab. This part-time contractor will provide hands-on support and guidance for development of QA/QC protocols, QA/QC review, instrument troubleshooting, and practical workflow improvement.
The ideal consultant has direct experience operating ICP-OES and/or ICP-MS instruments in a soil, agricultural, environmental, or analytical chemistry lab. This person should be comfortable with calibration, standards, blanks, duplicates, spikes, rerun criteria, contamination control, instrument maintenance, method development, and review of analytical data for quality and consistency.
This is a hands-on technical role. The consultant will work closely with Soil Science Lab Operations, and Data teams to support reliable data generation, reduce instrument downtime, and improve ICP-related workflows.
The digs:
  • Job Type: Independent Contractor, approximately 1-2 days per week. Initial engagement may be structured as a 3- to 6-month contract, with possible extension based on lab needs.
  • Target Start Date: ASAP
  • Compensation: $1,000-$1,500/day, depending on experience

Responsibilities Include:
  • Troubleshoot ICP-OES and/or ICP-MS instrumentation used for high-throughput soil chemistry analysis.
  • Review analytical data for quality assurance and quality control, including instrument drift, contamination, calibration performance, failed controls, rerun criteria, and overall data integrity.
  • Document instrument issues, maintenance activities, QC findings, corrective actions, and quality findings.
  • Improve standard operating procedures (SOPs), laboratory workflows, quality control processes, and operator consistency.
  • Recommend practical improvements that increase instrument reliability, laboratory throughput, and analytical data quality.
  • Collaborate closely with Soil Science and Data teams to ensure accurate, timely, and reliable soil chemistry results.
  • Operates with EarthOptics' cultural concepts of Autonomy, Accountability, Collaboration, Customer Centricity, Grit, and Grace.

Are you our soil-mate?: (Your qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in Soil Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Agronomy, or a related scientific discipline.
  • Hands-on experience with ICP-OES and/or ICP-MS operation.
  • Experience troubleshooting instrumentation, analytical methods, sample preparation, and laboratory data quality issues.
  • Experience with soil, agricultural, environmental, plant, water, or comparable sample matrices.
  • Strong understanding of analytical quality assurance and quality control practices.
  • Strong technical documentation and written/verbal communication skills.
  • High-throughput production lab experience.
  • Soil nutrient or elemental analysis experience.
  • Experience with LIMS, instrument data systems, SQL, Python, R, or structured data review.

Inclusion and Diversity at EarthOptics:
At EarthOptics, we embrace diversity and equality, and stand against any form of discrimination or harassment. We base all hiring and promotion decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or disability.
We are deeply committed to welcoming and including every qualified individual. As a part of this commitment, we ensure that persons with disabilities have access to reasonable accommodations. If you require assistance during the job application or interview process, need support to perform essential job functions, or seek other benefits and privileges of employment, please reach out to us at accommodations@earthoptics.com.

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