Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 16,400 people employed as agricultural technicians in the United States. The median annual salary is $40,430. Entry level employees earn approximately $29,010 per year and senior employees earn approximately $62,200 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Prepare culture media, following standard procedures.
• Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants.
• Prepare or present agricultural demonstrations.
• Determine the germination rates of seeds planted in specified areas.
• 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.
• Respond to general inquiries or requests from the public.
• Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
• Record environmental data from field samples of soil, air, water, or pests to monitor the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.
• Conduct studies of nitrogen or alternative fertilizer application methods, quantities, or timing to ensure satisfaction of crop needs and minimization of leaching, runoff, or denitrification.
• Conduct insect or plant disease surveys.
• Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
• 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.
• Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests.
• Perform tests on seeds to evaluate seed viability.
• Perform general nursery duties, such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, maintaining cuttings of plants, or controlling environmental conditions.
• Devise cultural methods or environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent.
• Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
• Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.
• Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results.
• Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.
• Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.
• Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.
• Collect animal or crop samples.
• Supervise pest or weed control operations, including locating and identifying pests or weeds, selecting chemicals and application methods, or scheduling application.
• Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.

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