Careers / Agricultural Technicians

Agricultural Technicians — Career Decision Dashboard

United States

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Median annual wage

$49,630

United States, 2025

Employment

15,130

United States, 2025

Typical education

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)

Job Zone 3

Skills identified

35

10 related careers

Career overview

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.

O*NET code
19-4012.00
Job zone
3
Experience required
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

Typical tasks

  • Perform tests on seeds to evaluate seed viability.
  • Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.
  • 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.
  • Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
  • Collect animal or crop samples.

Choose a location

Salary analysis — United States

$35,980
10th
$40,950
25th
$49,630
Median
$63,630
75th
$76,480
90th

10th percentile

$35,980

25th percentile

$40,950

75th percentile

$63,630

90th percentile

$76,480

Most important skills

  • Reading Comprehension3.4
  • Critical Thinking3.3
  • Active Listening3.3
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.1
  • Active Learning3.1
  • Writing3.1
  • Monitoring3.1
  • Instructing3.0
  • Speaking3.0
  • Operations Monitoring3.0
  • Coordination3.0
  • Time Management3.0

What skills do you need?

Select the skills you already have

Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.

Skill coverage

0%

0 of 12 identified skills

Matched

0

Missing

12

Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.

Skills to develop

SkillImportanceRequired levelYour levelGap
Reading Comprehension3.43.5Not selected3.5
Critical Thinking3.33.5Not selected3.5
Active Listening3.33.3Not selected3.3
Writing3.13.4Not selected3.4
Active Learning3.13.1Not selected3.1
Monitoring3.13.1Not selected3.1
Judgment and Decision Making3.13.0Not selected3.0
Instructing3.03.0Not selected3.0
Speaking3.03.0Not selected3.0
Operations Monitoring3.03.0Not selected3.0
Coordination3.03.0Not selected3.0
Time Management3.03.0Not selected3.0

Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.

Related careers

How salary varies by location

LocationMedianEmploymentYear
Santa Rosa, CA$66,540302025
Des Moines, IA$65,3002025
San Francisco, CA$65,2802025
Lansing, MI$64,7901202025
Phoenix, AZ$64,7502025
IA$64,0702025
Los Angeles, CA$63,6305002025
WY$63,120302025
Champaign, IL$63,080702025
AZ$62,9902025
San Luis Obispo, CA$62,900602025
Sacramento, CA$62,6804602025
CA$60,3202,4202025
KY$59,8602102025
Iowa City, IA$59,820702025
Washington, DC$58,7301402025
Napa, CA$58,340402025
MN$57,3105302025
Atlanta, GA$54,3803502025
NJ$54,3702025
All locations with published data

Career transition paths

Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Agricultural Technicians to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.

Build a transition comparison

Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0.

Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).

Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.