Occupations/19-4012.00
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.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
37%
More resilient
Human characteristics
64%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
57%
Mixed exposure
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
- Mostly routine
Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
- Task
Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
- 02Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
- 03Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
- 04Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
- 05Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
- 06Collect animal or crop samples.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.12
- Degree of automation2.69
- Time sitting2.66
- Originality (ability)3.00
- Conflict situations2.55
- Hands-on objects/tools4.50
- Outdoors / weather4.32
- Disease exposure1.33
- Decision freedom3.84
Top abilities
- Problem Sensitivity3.75
- Oral Expression3.75
- Oral Comprehension3.75
- Near Vision3.62
- Written Comprehension3.50
- Written Expression3.38
- Deductive Reasoning3.38
- Information Ordering3.25
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.38
- Active Listening3.25
- Writing3.12
- Speaking3.00
- Mathematics2.88
- Science2.75
- Critical Thinking3.25
- Active Learning3.12
- Learning Strategies2.88
- Monitoring3.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 82 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA · Public | Agriculture, General 01.0000 | $7,100 | 40% | 74% | 1 yr — 2 yr $67,660 Master's · CIP 01.00 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $60,100 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $66,915 2 yr $73,446 Doctoral · CIP 26.01 |
Stanford University Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $62,400 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $51,160 2 yr $25,194 Bachelor's · CIP 26.01 |
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public | Agriculture, General 01.0000 | $14,800 | 11% | 93% | 1 yr $49,644 2 yr $33,281 Bachelor's · CIP 01.00 |
Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public | Agriculture, General 01.0000 | $13,200 | 63% | 83% | 1 yr $47,650 2 yr $45,383 Bachelor's · CIP 01.00 |
University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND · Public | Agriculture, General 01.0000 | $10,800 | 83% | 66% | 1 yr $47,260 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 01.00 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public | Animal Sciences, General 01.0901 | $11,200 | 49% | 89% | 1 yr $42,123 2 yr $36,488 Bachelor's · CIP 01.09 |
San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $8,200 | 77% | 71% | 1 yr $42,123 2 yr $35,060 Bachelor's · CIP 26.01 |
Metropolitan State University St. Paul, MN · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $9,600 | 82% | 48% | 1 yr $40,697 2 yr $39,729 Bachelor's · CIP 26.01 |
Texas State Technical College Waco, TX · Public | Agriculture, General 01.0000 | $7,200 | 100% | 45% | 1 yr $40,467 2 yr $37,748 Bachelor's · CIP 01.00 |
Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public | Animal Sciences, General 01.0901 | $16,100 | 88% | 82% | 1 yr $40,281 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 01.09 |
St Cloud State University St. Cloud, MN · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $9,600 | 95% | 56% | 1 yr $39,729 2 yr $38,289 Bachelor's · CIP 26.01 |