Plant Pathology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Plant Pathology is a specialized field dedicated to understanding the causes, progression, and control of diseases affecting plants. This discipline combines rigorous scientific inquiry with practical applications to safeguard plant health, ensure agricultural productivity, and support sustainable food systems.
- Plant anatomy and physiology: Examines the structural and functional aspects of plant tissues and organs to understand how they respond to stress and disease.
- Pathogenesis: Investigates the mechanisms by which pathogens initiate and advance disease within host plants.
- Molecular plant virology: Focuses on the genetic and molecular behavior of plant viruses, including replication, transmission, and host interactions.
- Molecular genetics: Explores genetic variation and gene function in plants and pathogens to uncover disease susceptibility and resistance traits.
- Bacterial epidemiology: Studies the patterns, causes, and spread of bacterial diseases in plant populations across different environments.
- Causal agent identification: Involves diagnostic techniques to accurately detect and classify the microorganisms responsible for plant diseases.
- Host/agent interactions: Analyzes the dynamic relationships between plant hosts and invading pathogens at cellular and molecular levels.
- Disease resistance and response mechanisms: Investigates natural defense strategies plants employ to limit or prevent pathogen invasion and colonization.
- Developing plant disease treatments: Focuses on creating targeted interventions, including biological, chemical, and genetic solutions, to manage plant diseases effectively.
- Disease prevention: Emphasizes proactive strategies such as crop rotation, sanitation, and resistant cultivar deployment to reduce disease risk.
- Disease physiology and control: Integrates knowledge of disease development with practical approaches to manage and mitigate crop losses in real-world agricultural settings.
Plant Pathology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Plant Pathology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Plant Pathology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Biological Scientists, All Other and Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 230,430 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
| Soil and Plant Scientists 19-1013 | $71,410 | $45,320 - $131,440 | 16,600 | $34.33 |
Plant Pathology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $73,113 in Vermont to $130,685 in California—a 79% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 230,430 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Plant Pathology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 27 institutions offering Plant Pathology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Plant Pathology is found at University of Florida (UF) (16 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (13 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (10 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (9 graduates), and Michigan State University (MSU) (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 151 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Master's
|
8 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Master's
|
1 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Master's
|
1 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Master's
|
1 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Plant Pathology programs
How much can I earn with a Plant Pathology degree?
Salaries for Plant Pathology graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Biological Scientists, All Other earn around $93,330. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $130,685 compared to $73,113 in Vermont. Approximately 230,430 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Plant Pathology programs?
Currently 27 accredited institutions offer Plant Pathology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Florida (UF) (16 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (13 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (10 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Plant Pathology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 141 in 2010 to a peak of 174 in 2020, before declining slightly to 151 in 2023-24. This represents a 7% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Plant Pathology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Biological Scientists, All Other, and Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 230,430 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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