Pedologist

Every definition I know defines soil as part of a terrestrial (land-based) system, rather than an aquatic (water-based) system. The materials on the ocean floor may be future sedimentary rocks that could, after an uplift or a recession of the sea level, eventually weather to become parent materials in which a soil forms, but they are not soil.

Soil scientists work with many types of technology, from extremely simple (hands, picks, and water bottles) to extremely complex. Some of the advanced technologies include: geographic positioning systems, geographic information systems, laser surveying systems, infrared thermometry, multispectral imagery, X-ray spectroscopy (mineralogists), several types of spectrophotometers (atomic absorption, plasma emission, etc.; fertility and environmental specialists), respirometers (biologists studying the activity of soil organisms), time domain reflectometry and various types of psychrometry

No one is old enough to have observed how long it took to form a foot of soil. With the right conditions, a foot of topsoil may form in less than one hundred (100) years. These conditions would include a fresh deposit of loose material (as might happen during or after a flood) in which the soil could form, a stable landscape position so that soil formation is not interrupted, and a favorable climate that encourages the growth of grass (plants with fibrous root systems form topsoil faster than trees with taproots). When the original material is bedrock, like sandstone or limestone, that must first weather into small particles before the soil can form, and the process is much slower.

Pedogenesis also termed soil development, soil evolution, soil formation, and soil genesis is the process of soil formation as regulated by the effects of place, environment, and history. Biogeochemical processes act to both create and destroy order (anisotropy) within soils. These alterations lead to the development of layers, termed soil horizons, distinguished by differences in color, structure, texture, and chemistry. These features occur in patterns of soil type distribution, forming in response to differences in soil forming factors.

Soil is only found on the earth's surface. The depth of a soil depends mostly on how much rain falls on the soil, and how old the soil is. Some soils are only a few inches (or centimeters) thick - on mountains, in some deserts, and in arctic regions. Other soils can be more than 6' feet (two meters) deep. Though sometimes soils are deeper, we usually do not consider them as soil because roots of most plants are concentrated in the top 2 or 3 meters. Topsoil is usually the top 15 to 30 centimeters of soil. The subsoil then may go down to 2 or 3 meters.

I am not sure what the average salary of a soil scientist is, as that probably depends a lot upon the region of the country in which they live. Most beginning soil scientists would probably start with a salary of about $30,000 (give or take $4,000) for regional differences in the USA.

Pediatrician translates to "physician for children" which at least makes some sense. A "pediologist" would be an "expert on children".

Soil classification deals with the systematic categorization of soils based on distinguishing characteristics as well as criteria that dictate choices in use.

Soil science is the study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the Earth including soil formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils; and these properties in relation to the use and management of soils.