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Soil Physics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Civil Engineer

Wilmington, NC · On-site +1

$74K - $116K/yr

... or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. -or- B. Combination of education and experience college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that ...

Estimator

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Possess knowledge of and experience with basic irrigation techniques and a knowledge of soil chemistry, physics and plant science. * Possess advanced knowledge of California native plants, riparian ...

New

Estimator

Colusa, CA · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Possess knowledge of and experience with basic irrigation techniques and a knowledge of soil chemistry, physics and plant science. * Possess advanced knowledge of California native plants, riparian ...

New

Estimator

Chico, CA · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Possess knowledge of and experience with basic irrigation techniques and a knowledge of soil chemistry, physics and plant science. * Possess advanced knowledge of California native plants, riparian ...

New

Estimator

Modesto, CA · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Possess knowledge of and experience with basic irrigation techniques and a knowledge of soil chemistry, physics and plant science. * Possess advanced knowledge of California native plants, riparian ...

New

... soil chemistry, physics and plant science Possess advanced knowledge of California native plants, riparian ecology, and river hydrology Proven ability to work effectively with a team and ...

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Soil Physics information

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How much do soil physics jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for soil physics in the United States is $20.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is soil physics?

Soil physics is a branch of soil science that focuses on the study of the physical properties and processes of soil. It examines how soil interacts with water, air, heat, and mechanical forces, which are essential for plant growth and environmental management. Soil physicists investigate soil structure, permeability, water retention, and movement of gases to better understand and improve agricultural practices, land use, and environmental conservation.

What are the main collaborative opportunities and challenges for a Soil Physicist working within interdisciplinary research teams?

Soil Physicists frequently collaborate with agronomists, hydrologists, ecologists, and environmental engineers to address complex issues like water management, soil conservation, and crop productivity. Collaboration enhances research by integrating diverse expertise, but it can also present challenges such as differing research priorities, methods, and communication styles. Successful Soil Physicists are adaptable and proactive in fostering clear communication and shared goals within teams. This interdisciplinary work environment not only broadens professional skills but also opens pathways for career advancement in both academia and industry.

What is the difference between Soil Physics vs Soil Science?

AspectSoil PhysicsSoil Science
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Soil Science, Environmental Science, or related fields; often includes coursework in physics and chemistryBachelor's or Master's in Soil Science, Agronomy, or Geology; broader focus on soil properties and classification
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, field sites, research institutions, environmental agenciesResearch farms, laboratories, government agencies, academia
Industry UsageFocuses on physical properties of soil, water movement, and soil behavior under different conditionsEncompasses soil composition, fertility, classification, and land use management

Soil Physics primarily concentrates on the physical aspects of soil, such as water movement and soil behavior, while Soil Science covers a broader range of topics including soil composition, fertility, and land management. Both roles often require similar educational backgrounds and are used in research, environmental, and agricultural settings, but they focus on different aspects of soil study.

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

To thrive as a Soil Physicist, you need a solid background in soil science, physics, mathematics, and typically a degree in soil science, environmental science, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instruments, soil modeling software, GIS, and data analysis tools is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for interpreting data and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are essential for accurate research, practical problem-solving, and advancing sustainable land and water management practices.
More about Soil Physics jobs
What states have the most Soil Physics jobs? States with the most job openings for Soil Physics jobs include:
Infographic showing various Soil Physics job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,731 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

Civil Engineer / Agricultural Engineer

FSA, NRCS, RMA, FPAC Careers

Hillsboro, OR

$63K/yr

Other

Posted yesterday


Job description

This position is located in a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service state, area, or field office within the State of Oregon. The incumbent assists the area/zone or similar engineer and is responsible for providing technical guidance and in-the overall planning, design, installation, and maintenance of the engineering phases of soil and water conservation practices.Qualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.
This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below.

Basic Requirements: A. Degree: A bachelor's or higher degree in Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

  1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
  2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
  3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
  4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must also meet the minimum qualification requirements below:

GS-11: Specialized Experience: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include:

  • Providing technical engineering guidance on soil and water conservation issues affecting farmers, landowners, and other parties;
  • Managing the planning, design, and construction of engineering aspects for soil conservation practices and watershed flood protection programs; and
  • Performing site investigations, feasibility studies, and field construction checks for conservation practice installations. OR

Education: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in engineering or related field. OR

Combination of Education and Experience: Only graduate education beyond 2 years (36 semester hours) may be combined with specialized experience.
Combining Education and Experience:
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Time-in-Grade Requirement: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. You must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:College Transcript: If qualifying based on education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript with course number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g., special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college to ensure proper evaluation.
Your education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited toward qualifications. You may verify accreditation by visiting the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs website. We will verify your education accordingly.
Foreign Education: You must submit verification that education completed in a foreign institution, was recognized by an accreditation body accepted by the U.S. Department of Education. You must include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. Your transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
You may submit an unofficial copy of your transcript at the initial phase of the application process. However, if selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Please refer to the "How to Apply" section for instructions on submitting transcripts.Employment Type: OTHER