Agricultural technicians
SOC Code: 19-4012
Agricultural technicians carries a 36% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $46,790 and +4.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 18,600 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Agricultural technicians (SOC 19-4012) carries an AI exposure score of 36%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 18,600 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +4.3% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $46,790, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Associate's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Agricultural technicians. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
- 2. Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
- 3. Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.
- 4. Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).
- 5. Use geospatial technology to develop soil sampling grids or identify sampling sites for testing characteristics such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium content, pH, or micronutrients.
- 6. Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
- 7. Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.
- 8. Install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls, GPS-based vehicle guidance systems, or computer settings.
- 9. Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.
- 10. Compare crop yield maps with maps of soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop site-specific crop management plans.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Mathematics
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Sales and Marketing
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Biology
- Food Production
- Mechanical
- Geography
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Agricultural technicians?
Agricultural technicians has an AI exposure score of 36%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Agricultural technicians?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Agricultural technicians is projected to grow by 4.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 18,600 workers.
What skills are needed for Agricultural technicians?
Key skills for Agricultural technicians include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Associate's degree.
How much do Agricultural technicians earn?
The median annual wage for Agricultural technicians is $46,790, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Agricultural technicians?
The typical entry-level education for Agricultural technicians is Associate's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Agricultural technicians?
Agricultural technicians roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).