Life, Physical, and Social Science · Holland code RIC
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.
Also called: Agricultural Research Technician (Agricultural Research Tech), Agricultural Technician (Agricultural Tech), Agriculture Assistant, Seed Analyst, Agricultural Research Technologist, Agronomy Research Technician (Agronomy Research Tech), Field Assistant, Insect Research Technician (Insect Research Tech).
O*NET 19-4012.00
At a glance
- US median annual pay
- $49,630
- Middle half earn $40,950 to $63,630. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- Most common education
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- 41% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Medium preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.
- Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.
- Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Reading Comprehension3.4 / 5
- Active Listening3.3 / 5
- Critical Thinking3.3 / 5
- Writing3.1 / 5
- Active Learning3.1 / 5
- Monitoring3.1 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Food Production3.6 / 5
- Biology3.5 / 5
- Chemistry3.4 / 5
- Mechanical3.4 / 5
- Mathematics3.1 / 5
- Administration and Management3.0 / 5
Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic97
- Investigative60
- Artistic0
- Social8
- Enterprising17
- Conventional54
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- agricultural scientist · DE Agrarwissenschaftler/Agrarwissenschaftlerin · FR scientifique agricole
- agronomist · DE Agronom/Agronomin · FR agronome
- livestock advisor · DE Berater im Bereich Viehzucht/Beraterin im Bereich Viehzucht · FR conseiller d'élevage/conseillère d'élevage
- agricultural engineer · DE Ingenieur Agrarwirtschaft/Ingenieurin Agrarwirtschaft · FR ingénieur agronome/ingénieure agronome
- agricultural equipment design engineer · DE Entwicklungsingenieur für landwirtschaftliche Ausrüstung/Entwicklungsingenieurin für landwirtschaftliche Ausrüstung · FR ingénieur sciences et techniques des équipements agricoles/ingénieure sciences et techniques des équipements agricoles
- agricultural technician · DE Agrartechniker/Agrartechnikerin · FR technicien agricole/technicienne agricole
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers (5236)16,800 employed
- Mechanical engineers (professional) (2122)94,400 employed
- Metal working production and maintenance fitters and technicians (5223)135,500 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Germany | €31,000 |
| Sweden | €30,144 |
| Italy | €27,723 |
| Netherlands | €26,642 |
| Ireland | €25,686 |
| France | €22,942 |
| Spain | €20,465 |
| Portugal | €9,509 |
| Poland | €8,061 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
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