Agricultural Technicians
SOC Code: 19-4012.00
Life, Physical & Social ScienceAgricultural technicians assist agricultural and food scientists in research, production, and testing that improves the efficiency and safety of food production. With a median salary around $42,410, these technicians are the hands that carry out the experiments, collect the data, and maintain the research plots and laboratories that generate agricultural knowledge. They work at university research farms, government agencies like the USDA, agricultural companies, seed and chemical firms, and food testing laboratories — providing essential technical support to the scientists who advance agricultural innovation.
Salary Overview
Median
$46,790
25th Percentile
$38,480
75th Percentile
$59,370
90th Percentile
$69,010
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+4.3%
New Openings
2,900
Outlook
As fast as average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
- Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
- Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
- Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
- Collect animal or crop samples.
- Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.
- Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.
- Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: High School Diploma
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A Day in the Life
A field research technician's day might begin at sunrise, checking on field research plots, measuring crop growth stages, and collecting soil samples for analysis. Mid-morning involves operating plot-scale planting equipment to establish a new variety trial, carefully maintaining proper seed rates and row spacing according to the research protocol. In the lab, afternoon work includes processing soil samples, recording pH, nutrient levels, and organic matter content. Data entry into research databases and organizing specimen collections fills remaining time. An animal science technician might spend their day collecting blood samples from cattle in a nutrition study, weighing feed portions, recording intake data, and maintaining animal health records. Laboratory technicians at food companies perform quality assurance tests — fat content, moisture, bacteria counts — on product samples throughout production shifts. The common thread is meticulous attention to protocol and data recording.
Work Environment
Work environments vary significantly. Field technicians work outdoors in all weather conditions — heat, cold, rain, and dust — often at research farms located in rural areas. Physical demands include walking through fields, lifting equipment, bending to collect samples, and operating machinery. Laboratory technicians work in climate-controlled settings with standard bench equipment, although handling chemicals, biological materials, and occasionally hazardous substances requires safety protocols. Seasonal variation is pronounced for field-based positions — spring planting and fall harvest create intense work periods, while winter allows for data analysis, equipment maintenance, and planning. Hours are generally regular, but crop and animal research doesn't pause for weekends or holidays when critical data collection is scheduled.
Career Path & Advancement
An associate degree in agricultural technology, biology, or a related field is sufficient for many positions, though a bachelor's degree increases opportunities and starting salary. Entry-level technicians perform basic field and lab tasks under close supervision. Within 2-3 years, experienced technicians manage specific experiments or projects with increasing independence. Senior technicians may supervise seasonal workers, manage research facilities, or lead quality testing programs. Some technicians pursue bachelor's or master's degrees to advance to agricultural scientist positions. Others specialize in specific technical areas — GPS/GIS mapping, laboratory analysis methods, or equipment operation — becoming indispensable technical specialists. Research farm managers represent a natural advancement for field-oriented technicians.
Specializations
Field research technicians manage crop research plots, collect agronomic data, operate plot-scale equipment, and apply treatments according to experimental protocols. Laboratory technicians perform chemical, biological, and physical analyses on soil, plant tissue, water, and food samples. Animal science technicians assist with livestock research, managing feeding trials, reproductive studies, and animal health evaluations. Seed technology technicians conduct germination testing, seed quality analysis, and genetic purity evaluations. Precision agriculture technicians operate and maintain GPS, GIS, remote sensing, and variable rate technology equipment. Food safety technicians conduct microbiological testing and quality assurance in food processing environments. Entomology and pathology technicians assist with pest identification, disease diagnosis, and biocontrol research.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Direct contribution to agricultural innovation and food production improvement
- ✓Combination of outdoor field work and indoor laboratory variety
- ✓Entry accessible with associate degree — no advanced degree required
- ✓Hands-on, practical work rather than theoretical or desk-bound
- ✓Stable employment at universities, government agencies, and agricultural companies
- ✓Opportunity to work alongside scientists on meaningful research projects
- ✓Growing demand for technicians skilled in precision agriculture technology
Challenges
- ✗Below-average salary with limited earning growth ceiling
- ✗Outdoor field work in extreme heat, cold, rain, and dusty conditions
- ✗Physically demanding — lifting, bending, walking long distances in fields
- ✗Repetitive tasks — some data collection routines become monotonous
- ✗Seasonal intensity with long hours during planting and harvest periods
- ✗Career advancement limited without additional education
- ✗Rural work locations may not appeal to those preferring urban settings
Industry Insight
Agricultural research is becoming increasingly technology-driven. Drone-based crop monitoring, automated phenotyping systems, and high-throughput laboratory equipment are transforming how data is collected and analyzed. Technicians who can operate and troubleshoot these technologies are in high demand. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology aspects of agriculture — particularly in seed technology, crop genetics, and biological pest control — are growing rapidly. Climate change research funding is expanding agricultural research focused on drought tolerance, heat stress, carbon sequestration, and sustainable intensification. The USDA and land-grant university research system faces budget pressures but remains the backbone of public agricultural research. Private sector research investment by companies like Bayer, Corteva, and Syngenta drives demand for skilled technicians.
How to Break Into This Career
An associate or bachelor's degree in agriculture, biology, crop science, animal science, or environmental science provides the educational foundation. Hands-on experience is highly valued — growing up on a farm, maintaining a garden, or working summer jobs in agricultural operations demonstrates practical capability. University research farm positions, even as part-time student workers, provide direct experience with research protocols and equipment. Familiarity with basic laboratory techniques (pipetting, microscopy, spectrophotometry) and field sampling methods is expected. Physical fitness, willingness to work outdoors in challenging conditions, and meticulous attention to detail are essential traits. For food safety lab positions, knowledge of microbiological testing methods and food safety regulations (FSMA) is important.
Career Pivot Tips
Agricultural technicians develop laboratory skills, data collection abilities, field research experience, and attention to protocol that transfer to environmental monitoring, quality assurance in manufacturing, pharmaceutical testing, and biological research assistance. Laboratory technicians find opportunities in clinical labs, water quality testing, and chemical analysis. Field technicians transition to environmental consulting, conservation work, and crop scouting for agricultural retailers. The data management skills transfer to research coordination and data entry positions across industries. Those seeking advancement should pursue bachelor's degrees in agricultural or biological sciences while working, as many employers offer tuition assistance. Technicians with GIS/GPS skills find growing opportunities in precision agriculture companies and geospatial technology firms.
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