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.
Agricultural Technicians
SOC: 19-4012 O*NET: 19-4012.00
Median Salary
$46,790
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.3%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Agricultural Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,860
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,480
25th percentile
Median
$46,790
50th percentile
Experienced
$59,370
75th percentile
Top Earners
$69,010
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,860
25th
$38,480
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,790
Mean: $49,680
75th
$59,370
90th
$69,010
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $36,150 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,480 and $59,370
- •Salary spread is 44.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 14,340 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:18,600
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services34.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services34.8%
Scientific Research and Development Services15.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.3%
Annual Openings:2,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)18,600
Current
2034 (Projected)19,400
+4.3%
+800
Employment Change
+4.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Agricultural Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 45 locations
California
3,100 jobs$58,3301.84x
Iowa
1,080 jobs$39,3307.43x
Minnesota
810 jobs$55,1902.99x
Idaho
580 jobs$43,4807.38x
Missouri
540 jobs$46,4501.99x
Georgia
510 jobs$46,0401.13x
Wisconsin
500 jobs$45,3801.82x
Nebraska
500 jobs$42,4205.29x
Washington
420 jobs$46,7101.27x
Illinois
420 jobs$41,5800.75x
Oregon
420 jobs$39,1502.30x
North Carolina
410 jobs$48,9100.91x
South Dakota
380 jobs$38,6508.93x
Maryland
340 jobs$47,8901.33x
Arkansas
330 jobs$43,9502.72x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Writing
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Mathematics
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Writing
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Mathematics
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Environmental Economists100%
5 shared skills
Mechanical Drafters100%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Writing
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Agricultural Technicians
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Planning & Development (5)Operations & Execution (2)Management & Supervision (3)General Responsibilities (6)
1
Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Conduct insect or plant disease surveys.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Perform general nursery duties, such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, maintaining cuttings of plants, or controlling environmental conditions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution85% perform90%
7
Devise cultural methods or environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Agricultural Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Agricultural Technicians professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Agricultural Technicians
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.35
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.29
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.08
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.02
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.00
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.98
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Integrity
3.9
Independence
3.9
Initiative
3.8
Leadership
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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