Changes are needed in academic curricula to prepare students for employment in the new era of soil survey. The objective of this paper is to present workforce requirements needed to meet future soil survey needs. For several decades, the primary focus of the soil survey program has been on soil classification and mapping. As the initial soil survey is nearing completion, the focus is shifting to a more balanced program that includes keeping the soil survey up to date to meet ever changing needs for new data and interpretations, delivering soil survey information in more useful forms to a more diverse clientele, and promoting soil survey and providing technical assistance in its use. These changes in program focus require new skills from soil scientists who, in addition to being technically competent in their field and proficient at relating soils to landscapes, must also understand legal processes and public policy decision making, have a broader understanding of soil responses to human impacts, and be able to communicate effectively with both urban and rural audiences.