Agronomist

An agronomist advises farmers and agricultural businesses on crop production, soil management, and pest control to optimise yield and sustainability. They conduct field trials, analyse soil and plant samples, and recommend fertiliser regimes, crop varieties, and integrated pest management strategies suited to local conditions and Australian climatic zones. They work across research stations, advisory services, and on-farm consultancy, applying scientific knowledge to solve production problems.

Conduct soil testing and analysis to determine nutrient levels, pH, and organic matter content using laboratory equipment and interpretation software. Recommend fertiliser application rates and formulations based on soil test results, crop type, and yield targets. Advise on crop variety selection considering disease resistance, maturity groups, and suitability to regional climate zones. Design and monitor field trials to evaluate new crop varieties, cultivars, and agronomic practices on farm sites. Assess paddock pest and disease pressures through scouting, specimen collection, and identification to recommend integrated pest management options. Develop crop rotation and paddock history plans to reduce disease carryover and build soil health. Prepare agronomic reports for clients documenting observations, test results, and recommendations with supporting data and photographs. Advise on irrigation scheduling and water use efficiency based on crop growth stage, soil moisture monitoring, and seasonal rainfall patterns.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You'll need a science degree and often a postgrad qualification, which takes years. Your advice only works if farmers actually follow it: plenty won't, so you'll see your recommendations ignored. Pay sits below what you'd earn in mining or engineering. Work is seasonal and weather-dependent, meaning irregular hours during critical periods.

Most positions are with agricultural consultancies, fertiliser companies, or government agriculture departments in regional towns rather than cities. Remote work is uncommon: you need to be on-farm or at labs regularly.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2341, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Customer Needs Assessmentcore
• Data Entry and Accuracycore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Active Listening
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Microsoft Excel Data Management
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Negotiation
• Process Improvement Identification
• Record Management
• Reporting and Analytics
• Team Collaboration

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026