Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Agricultural Technician

Find Schools Near

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.

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.

undefined

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.

undefined

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?

undefined

How many years of work experience do I need?

undefined

Where Agricultural Technicians Are Employed

undefined

Agricultural Technicians work in the following industries:

undefined

References:

Image Credit: Muhammad Irshad Ansari via CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.