Crop Scientist

As a Crop Scientist, you play a crucial role in advancing agricultural practices and ensuring food security for a growing global population. Your expertise drives innovation in crop production, helping to enhance yield, sustainability, and resilience against climate change in the UK and beyond.

Crop Scientist

18

Biological Sciences

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO18%moving to63%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSD
STARTING PAY£25,000 - £30,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI can already do some of this job, but the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior Crop ScientistIn this entry-level role, you will assist in conducting experiments and collecting data under the supervision of senior scientists. You will gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques and fieldwork.£25,000 - £30,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level Crop ScientistAt this stage, you will lead research projects, manage field trials, and collaborate with farmers to implement findings. You will also begin to specialise in specific areas of crop science.£35,000 - £45,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Crop Scientist/Head of ResearchIn a senior role, you will oversee research teams, secure funding for projects, and influence agricultural policy. You will be recognised as an expert in your field, contributing to significant advancements in crop science.£55,000+
There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.

Careermash

Careermash: navigate your career path with real data. Explore career profiles, salary benchmarks, AI impact forecasts, and the qualifications you need to get there.


AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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