# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/agricultural-technicians
- SOC code: 19-4012.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $49,630 (10th percentile $35,980, 90th percentile $76,480)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.4%
- Openings a year: 2,800
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 97 |
| Investigative (I) | 60 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 8 |
| Enterprising (E) | 17 |
| Conventional (C) | 54 |

## What you'd do

- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 77/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 71/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 71/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 70/100)
- Getting Information (importance 68/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 68/100)
- Processing Information (importance 67/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 67/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 67/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 66/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, Writing, Coordination, Instructing, Operations Monitoring

## Knowledge

Food Production, Biology, Chemistry, Mechanical, Mathematics, Administration and Management, English Language, Education and Training, Public Safety and Security, Building and Construction

## Also called

Acidity Tester, Agricultural Assistant, Agricultural Equipment Technician, Agricultural Research Technician (Agricultural Research Tech), Agricultural Research Technologist, Agricultural Service Technician, Agricultural Specialist, Agricultural Technician (Agricultural Tech), Agriculture Assistant, Agriculture Field Technician (Agriculture Field Tech)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Biology, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2601) (CIP 2601, 1,703 colleges)
- [Agriculture, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0100) (CIP 0100, 195 colleges)
- [Animal Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0109) (CIP 0109, 167 colleges)
- [Plant Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0111) (CIP 0111, 162 colleges)
- [Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0113) (CIP 0113, 65 colleges)
- Soil Sciences (CIP 0112, 40 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carlow University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carlow-university-405) | Biology, General | $42,599 | $134,677 | $26,774 |
| [Providence College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/providence-college-2158) | Biology, General | $46,526 | $93,757 | $27,000 |
| [Seton Hall University-New Jersey](https://www.collegesref.com/college/seton-hall-university-new-jersey-2399) | Biology, General | $37,643 | $93,200 | $22,375 |
| [College of the Holy Cross](https://www.collegesref.com/college/college-of-the-holy-cross-626) | Biology, General | $46,673 | $92,914 | $19,375 |
| [University of Detroit Mercy](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-detroit-mercy-2907) | Biology, General | $28,438 | $91,888 | $18,642 |
| [Yeshiva University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/yeshiva-university-3345) | Biology, General | $20,819 | $90,456 | $16,392 |
| [Ohio Dominican University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ohio-dominican-university-1996) | Biology, General | not reported | $90,431 | $25,309 |
| [Marquette University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/marquette-university-1598) | Biology, General | $40,479 | $88,921 | $24,109 |

## Related careers

- [Agricultural Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/agricultural-engineers): $98,590 median pay
- [Biological Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biological-technicians): $57,510 median pay
- [Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/farmers-ranchers-and-other-agricultural-managers): $89,900 median pay
- [Precision Agriculture Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/precision-agriculture-technicians): $49,630 median pay
- [Food Science Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/food-science-technicians): $52,130 median pay
- [Food Scientists and Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/food-scientists-and-technologists): $88,720 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.