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Precision Agriculture Technician

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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.

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.

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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.

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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?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Precision Agriculture Technicians Sector

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Precision Agriculture Technicians work in the following industries:

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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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