Agricultural Technicians: Career Profile
Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. 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. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.
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The Daily Work of Agricultural Technicians Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of agricultural technicians include:
- Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
- Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
- Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
- Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
- Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
- Collect animal or crop samples.
- Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.
- Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.
What Agricultural Technicians Need to Know
Effective agricultural technicians draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Other Agricultural Technicians Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Acidity Tester
- Agricultural Assistant
- Agricultural Equipment Technician
- Agricultural Research Technician (Agricultural Research Tech)
- Agricultural Research Technologist
- Agricultural Service Technician
- Agricultural Specialist
- Agricultural Technician (Agricultural Tech)
How Many Agricultural Technicians Are There?
There are about 131,803 agricultural technicians working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +8.4% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Agricultural Technicians Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $44,022 |
| Hourly median | $21.16 |
| 10th percentile | $29,132 |
| 25th percentile | $36,577 |
| 75th percentile | $51,467 |
| 90th percentile | $58,912 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Agricultural Technicians Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $63,340 |
| Wyoming | $60,490 |
| California | $58,330 |
| West Virginia | $55,560 |
| Minnesota | $55,190 |
| Colorado | $51,380 |
| Montana | $51,170 |
| Tennessee | $51,170 |
| Florida | $49,280 |
| Delaware | $49,030 |
| North Carolina | $48,910 |
| Mississippi | $48,790 |
| Kentucky | $48,780 |
| Maine | $48,150 |
| Texas | $48,120 |
| Maryland | $47,890 |
| Utah | $47,840 |
| New York | $46,890 |
| Washington | $46,710 |
| Hawaii | $46,670 |
| Missouri | $46,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,410 |
| Nevada | $46,050 |
| Georgia | $46,040 |
| Indiana | $45,940 |
| New Jersey | $45,810 |
| Wisconsin | $45,380 |
| North Dakota | $44,540 |
| Ohio | $44,310 |
| Arkansas | $43,950 |
| Kansas | $43,780 |
| Idaho | $43,480 |
| Nebraska | $42,420 |
| Illinois | $41,580 |
| South Carolina | $41,360 |
| New Hampshire | $40,730 |
| Vermont | $39,940 |
| Iowa | $39,330 |
| Oklahoma | $39,160 |
| Oregon | $39,150 |
| South Dakota | $38,650 |
| Virginia | $38,100 |
| Michigan | $37,960 |
| Alabama | $32,390 |
| Louisiana | $32,000 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for agricultural technicians differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $54,813 | 30.4% | 1.80 |
| Middle Atlantic | $47,519 | 4.1% | 0.92 |
| New England | $46,088 | 1.4% | 1.85 |
| Rocky Mountains | $45,953 | 5.9% | 5.68 |
| Southeast | $45,695 | 17.3% | 1.22 |
| Southwest | $45,560 | 1.6% | 0.18 |
| Plains States | $44,694 | 27.4% | 5.01 |
| Great Lakes | $43,197 | 12.1% | 1.03 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $67,960 | 460 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | AZ | $63,340 | |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | FL | $62,340 | 60 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | IL | $61,170 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $60,930 | 440 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | CA | $60,230 | |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | IN | $60,000 | 60 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $59,750 | 190 |
Industry Breakdown
The bulk of agricultural technicians are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4,990 | $45,070 |
| Educational Services | 3,950 | $50,650 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,450 | $45,890 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 1,080 | $40,420 |
| Manufacturing | 850 | $45,810 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 420 | $46,260 |
| Retail Trade | 270 | $43,500 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 110 | $44,900 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of agricultural technicians is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How to Become Agricultural Technicians
Entry-level agricultural technicians positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Biofuels Production Managers (Supplemental)
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers (Primary-Short)
- Agricultural Engineers (Primary-Short)
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
- Animal Scientists (Supplemental)
- Food Scientists and Technologists (Primary-Long)
- Soil and Plant Scientists (Supplemental)
- Microbiologists (Supplemental)
Degree Programs
Future agricultural technicians often complete programs in:
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
8 programs across 5 majors
- Animal Science
- General Agriculture
- Plant Sciences
- Soil Sciences
- Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 19-4012.00 (Agricultural Technicians).
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