Life As an Agricultural Technician
Example of Agricultural Technician Job Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments.
Life As an Agricultural Technician: What Do They Do?
- Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
- Prepare culture media, following standard procedures.
- Assess comparative soil erosion from various planting or tillage systems, such as conservation tillage with mulch or ridge till systems, no-till systems, or conventional tillage systems with or without moldboard plows.
- Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.
- Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests.
- Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants.
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Skills Needed to be an Agricultural Technician
Agricultural Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Types of Agricultural Technician
- Seed Lab Technician
- Culture Media Laboratory Assistant
- Agricultural Research Technician
- Feed Research Aide
- Insect Control Aide
Job Opportunities for Agricultural Technicians
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 27,500 jobs in the United States for Agricultural Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,700 new jobs for Agricultural Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 3,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Agricultural Technician are Nevada, Utah, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Hawaii, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Agricultural Technician Salary
Agricultural Technicians make between $26,980 and $64,020 a year.
Agricultural Technicians who work in New Jersey, Massachusetts, or New York, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Agricultural Technicians in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $37,960 |
| Arizona | $42,000 |
| Arkansas | $40,800 |
| California | $45,400 |
| Colorado | $45,670 |
| Florida | $40,230 |
| Georgia | $41,780 |
| Hawaii | $44,730 |
| Idaho | $38,510 |
| Illinois | $41,750 |
| Indiana | $44,190 |
| Iowa | $49,940 |
| Kansas | $43,210 |
| Kentucky | $44,720 |
| Louisiana | $37,510 |
| Maine | $36,430 |
| Maryland | $40,390 |
| Massachusetts | $54,500 |
| Michigan | $38,010 |
| Minnesota | $42,580 |
| Mississippi | $37,800 |
| Missouri | $46,660 |
| Montana | $43,650 |
| Nebraska | $39,140 |
| New Jersey | $58,440 |
| New Mexico | $41,170 |
| New York | $51,940 |
| North Carolina | $43,380 |
| North Dakota | $49,640 |
| Ohio | $42,360 |
| Oklahoma | $33,970 |
| Oregon | $43,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,950 |
| South Dakota | $29,370 |
| Tennessee | $39,440 |
| Texas | $46,390 |
| Utah | $36,940 |
| Vermont | $44,810 |
| Virginia | $38,130 |
| Washington | $41,830 |
| West Virginia | $53,260 |
| Wisconsin | $39,730 |
What Tools do Agricultural Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Agricultural Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Spreadsheet software
- Statistical software
- Desktop publishing software
- Microsoft operating system
Becoming an Agricultural Technician
What education is needed to be an Agricultural Technician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Agricultural Technicians Are Employed
Agricultural Technicians work in the following industries:
References:
Image Credit: Muhammad Irshad Ansari via CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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