Soil resources are the basis for terrestrial ecosystems, in both wildland and cultivated settings. B.S. level soils scientists are hired in public and private sectors to assess the limitations and capabilities of soil resources. This paper provides a snapshot of current enrollment and demand for B.S. level soil scientists based on telephone, e-mail and Internet research undertaken in the summer of 2005. Based on responses from about 80 universities in Canada, the U.S. and Puerto Rico, there are approximately 1,900 students currently enrolled in undergraduate programs in soil science or closely related programs such as agronomy. Roughly 475 students graduate per year with substantial soils coursework, assuming that it takes four years to graduate. About 30% of these graduates have sufficient soil science courses (15 semester hours) to qualify as a soil scientist (GS-470), while all would qualify as soil conservationists (GS-457). On the demand side, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts lower than average growth in hiring (3 to 9%) for soil scientists and conservation scientists, recognizing, however, that increased retirements will fuel demands for B.S. level soil scientists. NSF data indicate that in 2002 there were 3,870 soil conservationists and 1,311 soil scientists in federal service. NRCS anticipates losing about 150 soil conservationists and about 50 soil scientists per year to retirement for the next five years. The Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and other federal agencies will probably hire about 10 soil scientists per year. Some students will be hired by private consulting firms as technical service providers for federal service and as consultants to private land owners. Soil and water conservation districts, state agencies, and local governments will hire soil scientists for resource inventories and preparation of conservation, erosion control, and stormwater discharge plans.