Agricultural Technicians
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.
- Median pay
- $49,630
- Doing it now
- 19,500
- By 2035
- Up 5.4%
- Usually needs
- Associate's degree
a year
across the country
2,800 openings a year
to get in
What the work involves
- Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
- Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
- Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
- Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
- Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.
- Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.
- Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.
What to study
The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.
- Biology, GeneralSee 1,382 colleges that teach it
- Animal SciencesSee 105 colleges that teach it
- Agriculture, GeneralSee 92 colleges that teach it
- Plant SciencesSee 92 colleges that teach it
Who it suits
O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.
Hands-on and practical
Analytical and curious
Organised and precise
Careers like this one
Where this comes from: the description and the task list are O*NET, which the Department of Labor maintains. Pay, workforce size, outlook and the education normally needed are the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections programme, 2025 wages and 2025 to 2035 projections. Half of them earn more than $49,630 a year, which means half earn less, and what you would earn depends on where you work and how long you have been doing it. The fields of study come from the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk.