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Agricultural Technician

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What Does it Take to Be an Agricultural Technician?

Position Description 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.

List of Agricultural Technician Job Duties

  • Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants.
  • Devise cultural methods or environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent.
  • Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.
  • Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.
  • 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.
  • Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as 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.

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.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.

Other Agricultural Technician Job Titles

  • Seed Lab Technician
  • Research Associate
  • Horticultural Technician
  • Cattle Tester
  • Agricultural Researcher

Are There 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. The BLS estimates 3,000 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

Average Agricultural Technicians Salary

The typical yearly salary for Agricultural Technicians is somewhere between $26,980 and $64,020.

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Agricultural Technicians who work in New Jersey, Massachusetts, or New York, make the highest salaries.

How much do Agricultural Technicians make in each U.S. state?

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?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Agricultural Technicians:

  • 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

How to Become an Agricultural Technician

What education or degrees do I need to become an Agricultural Technician?

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What work experience do I need to become an Agricultural Technician?

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Where Agricultural Technicians Are Employed

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The table below shows the approximate number of Agricultural Technicians employed by various industries.

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References:

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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