What is a Precision Agriculture Technician?
Precision Agriculture Technician Example Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.
List of Precision Agriculture Technician Job Duties
- Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).
- Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.
- Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.
- Use geospatial technology to develop soil sampling grids or identify sampling sites for testing characteristics such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium content, pH, or micronutrients.
- Identify areas in need of pesticide treatment by analyzing geospatial data to determine insect movement and damage patterns.
- Advise farmers on upgrading Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to take advantage of newly installed advanced satellite technology.
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Precision Agriculture Technician Skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Precision Agriculture Technician Jobs
- Precision Agriculture Specialist
- Precision Farming Coordinator
- Nutrient Management Specialist
- Physical Scientist
- Precision Farming Specialist
Is There Going to be Demand for Precision Agriculture Technicians?
There were about 76,100 jobs for Precision Agriculture Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,400 new jobs for Precision Agriculture Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 9,900 positions for Precision Agriculture Technician per year.

The states with the most job growth for Precision Agriculture Technician are Utah, Texas, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Maine, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Precision Agriculture Technician Make?
The average yearly salary of a Precision Agriculture Technician ranges between $29,830 and $80,370.

Precision Agriculture Technicians who work in Maryland, Connecticut, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
How much do Precision Agriculture Technicians make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $46,600 |
Alaska | $56,470 |
Arizona | $51,250 |
Arkansas | $50,740 |
California | $56,670 |
Colorado | $51,890 |
Connecticut | $62,090 |
District of Columbia | $61,000 |
Florida | $45,200 |
Georgia | $52,690 |
Hawaii | $57,310 |
Idaho | $42,220 |
Illinois | $51,130 |
Indiana | $51,970 |
Iowa | $46,740 |
Kansas | $51,960 |
Kentucky | $52,340 |
Louisiana | $47,250 |
Maine | $55,220 |
Maryland | $69,500 |
Massachusetts | $63,450 |
Michigan | $43,640 |
Minnesota | $50,440 |
Mississippi | $52,950 |
Missouri | $49,590 |
Montana | $43,930 |
Nebraska | $58,150 |
Nevada | $47,690 |
New Hampshire | $57,990 |
New Jersey | $60,660 |
New Mexico | $59,850 |
New York | $53,380 |
North Carolina | $53,390 |
North Dakota | $52,050 |
Ohio | $52,690 |
Oklahoma | $57,950 |
Oregon | $51,800 |
Pennsylvania | $50,410 |
Rhode Island | $59,480 |
South Carolina | $56,910 |
South Dakota | $45,190 |
Tennessee | $43,440 |
Texas | $54,290 |
Utah | $50,980 |
Virginia | $52,180 |
Washington | $55,920 |
West Virginia | $55,930 |
Wisconsin | $52,500 |
Wyoming | $53,940 |
What Tools & Technology do Precision Agriculture Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Precision Agriculture Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- ESRI ArcView
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- ESRI ArcPad
- MapShots EASi Suite
- SST Development Group SSToolbox
- John Deere Apex Farm Management
- Ag Leader Technology SMS Advanced
- Trimble AgGPS EZ-Map
How do I Become a Precision Agriculture Technician?
What education is needed to be a Precision Agriculture Technician?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Precision Agriculture Technicians Sector

Precision Agriculture Technicians work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Career changers with experience as a Precision Agriculture Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: U.S. Department of Energy from United States via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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