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Agricultural technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$49,630median pay per year, or $23.86 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $35,980lowest 10% earn less
  2. $40,95025th percentile
  3. $49,630median
  4. $63,63075th percentile
  5. $76,480top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

The median agricultural technician earned $49,630 a year[1]. Employment is projected to grow 5.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.4%[2]
Openings per year
2,800[6]
Typical entry education
Associate's degree[7]

How much do agricultural technicians make?

In May 2025, the median wage for agricultural technicians was $49,630 a year, or $23.86 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $53,840 a year, or $25.89 an hour[8].

The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5]. So the typical agricultural technician earned slightly less than the typical US worker.

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,980 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $76,480[4]. The 25th percentile was $40,950 and the 75th was $63,630[4]. Hourly, the 10th, 25th, 75th and 90th percentiles were $17.30, $19.69, $30.59 and $36.77[9].

A percentile is a boundary in the pay data. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10]. The figures leave out self-employed workers and benefits such as health insurance[11].

Measure Annual wage Source
10th percentile[4] $35,980
Median[1] $49,630
90th percentile[4] $76,480

Pay by state and city

Among the 39 states with published data, Iowa had the highest median at $64,070[12]. Wyoming followed at $63,120 and Arizona at $62,990[12]. Oklahoma had the lowest median in that list, at $37,840[12].

California had the most jobs, with 2,420[13]. Georgia had 1,020 and Illinois 700[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[14], Lansing-East Lansing, MI had the highest median at $64,790[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim came next at $63,630, then Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom at $62,680[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim also had the most jobs among metro areas, with 500[15].

Show median pay in 39 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Iowa[12]$64,070n/a
Wyoming$63,12030
Arizona$62,990n/a
California$60,3202,420
Kentucky$59,860210
Minnesota$57,310530
New Jersey$54,370n/a
Missouri$54,060420
Delaware$52,510n/a
North Carolina$51,470550
Texas$50,270120
Maryland$49,680200
Georgia$48,9601,020
Idaho$48,870650
Mississippi$48,800190
Pennsylvania$48,800110
Washington$48,220470
Hawaii$47,960150
Nebraska$47,420580
Maine$47,41050
Kansas$47,200450
Colorado$47,020100
North Dakota$46,960100
Oregon$46,800480
Arkansas$46,750260
Utah$46,56040
Wisconsin$46,470620
Illinois$46,410700
Indiana$46,170410
New York$45,830380
Tennessee$45,13060
Nevada$43,59040
Michigan$42,780450
Florida$42,700240
New Hampshire$42,52030
South Dakota$41,420350
South Carolina$41,290100
Virginia$41,210170
Oklahoma$37,840n/a

How to become an agricultural technician

The BLS typical path into this job looks like this[7]:

The training details here come from a BLS profile that covers agricultural and food science technicians as a wider group[16]. That profile says requirements vary. Some employers want or prefer an associate's or bachelor's degree in a field such as biology, chemistry or agriculture[17]. Others hire people with a high school diploma and related work experience[17]. That experience might come from jobs such as agricultural work or food and tobacco processing[18].

In an O*NET survey of 18 workers, 41% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 18% said a bachelor's degree and 13% said an associate's degree[19]. Because the survey is small, treat these shares as a rough guide only.

High school students can prepare with classes in science and math, including biology, chemistry, physics and statistics[20]. In college, students can look for internships to gain practical experience[21].

After hiring, technicians typically learn on the job. They may work beside a more experienced technician or scientist and learn to collect samples and run equipment[22].

What agricultural technicians do

O*NET says the work involves helping agricultural scientists with plant, fiber and animal research, or assisting with animal breeding and nutrition[23]. Common tasks include[24]:

Workers report titles such as agricultural research technician, field assistant and lab tech[25].

Where they work

Technicians in the wider BLS group work in labs, in processing plants, on farms and ranches, in greenhouses and in offices[26]. Plant and farm settings can bring noise, extreme temperatures and odors from chemicals or animals[26]. Some technicians wear protective gear such as gloves or hearing protection, lift and carry objects, and stay physically active for long periods. Travel may be required[27].

In the wider BLS group, most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours a week[28]. Schedules vary and can include weekends and evenings[28]. In the wider BLS group, the largest employer group was colleges, universities and professional schools (state), at 23%[29]. Only 1.4% of agricultural technicians were self-employed in 2025[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of agricultural technicians to grow 5.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 19,500 jobs to 20,600[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[3]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2]. The OEWS count for May 2025 was about 15,130 wage and salary jobs[31].

About 2,800 openings are projected each year on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.1% of workers leave the labor force and 11.5% move to a different occupation[32].

Is it a good fit?

Pay is close to the middle of the US range, with a median of $49,630 against $50,980 for all occupations[1][5]. Growth is projected at 5.4%, a bit above the 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry level, though some employers hire with a high school diploma and related experience[7][17]. The work can mix lab tasks with field and machinery tasks, so it may suit people who like both[23][24].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[33].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an agricultural technician make an hour?
The median was $23.86 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $25.89[1][8].
What degree do you need to be an agricultural technician?
BLS lists an associate's degree as typical, and some employers hire with a high school diploma and related experience[7][17].
Is agricultural technician in demand?
BLS projects 5.4% growth from 2025 to 2035 and about 2,800 openings a year[2][6].
What is the highest paying state for agricultural technicians?
Iowa had the highest median at $64,070, ahead of Wyoming at $63,120[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Agricultural Technicians in the US was $49,630 per year and $23.86 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Agricultural Technicians is projected to grow 5.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 19,500 to 20,600 jobs (a change of +1,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Agricultural Technicians: 10th percentile $35,980, 25th percentile $40,950, 75th percentile $63,630, 90th percentile $76,480. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,800 openings for Agricultural Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Agricultural Technicians: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Agricultural Technicians was $53,840 per year and $25.89 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Agricultural Technicians: 10th percentile $17.30, 25th percentile $19.69, 75th percentile $30.59, 90th percentile $36.77. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Agricultural Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Agricultural Technicians jobs: California 2,420; Georgia 1,020; Illinois 700; Idaho 650; Wisconsin 620. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Agricultural Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Lansing-East Lansing, MI $64,790; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $63,630; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $62,680; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $58,730; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $54,380; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $52,600; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $52,510; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $52,310. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Agricultural Technicians jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 500 (median $63,630); Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA 460 (median $62,680); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 350 (median $54,380); Madison, WI 250 (median $47,030); Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 220 (median $46,800); Boise City, ID 210 (median $49,220). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Agricultural and Food Science Technicians" covers Agricultural Technicians together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 19-4012.00 survey of workers (18 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 41%, Bachelor's Degree 18%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 13%, Doctoral Degree 7%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 6%, Some College Courses 5%, Master's Degree 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Agricultural Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Agricultural Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 19-4012.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Agricultural Research Technician (Agricultural Research Tech), Agricultural Research Technologist, Agricultural Technician (Agricultural Tech), Agriculture Assistant, Agronomy Research Technician (Agronomy Research Tech), Field Assistant, Insect Research Technician (Insect Research Tech), Lab Tech (Laboratory Technician). O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of agricultural and food science technicians in 2025: Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state 23%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections: 1.4% of Agricultural Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 15,130 people were employed as Agricultural Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Agricultural Technicians: 2.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 11.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the 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. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.