Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Agricultural technicians work in a specialized technical role that blends science, hands-on work, and problem solving. Nationally, about 19,000 people are employed in this occupation, with a median annual salary of $46,790. The field is projected to grow by 4.3%, with around 3,000 job openings each year, reflecting a steady flow of opportunities from new roles and turnover. The work draws on a mix of scientific knowledge, mathematics, mechanical ability, and physical stamina, making it a good fit for people who enjoy both analytical tasks and practical, hands-on activities. Strong writing, reading, and computer skills are also important, along with project management and critical thinking. The role offers options across multiple states and metro areas, with some locations providing higher pay or stronger overall opportunity scores. For students, career changers, or professionals seeking a technical path in the agricultural field, this occupation provides a balanced combination of stable demand, diverse skills, and clear education expectations.
The national median annual salary for agricultural technicians is $46,790, but pay varies meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, California stands out with a median salary of $60,320, notably higher than New York at $45,830 and Virginia at $41,210. Colorado and Washington are closer to the national median, at $47,020 and $48,220 respectively. At the metro level, several areas offer even higher median pay. Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA reports $63,630, and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV reports $58,730. Other metros such as Philadelphia, Chicago, and Minneapolis cluster around the low $50,000s. This range suggests that choosing higher-paying states or metros can significantly influence earnings over time. For individuals open to relocation, comparing state and metro salary levels alongside opportunity scores can help target regions with the strongest income potential.
Agricultural technicians have a national employment base of about 19,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 4.3%. This growth rate indicates that the occupation is expected to expand over time rather than contract. In addition, there are approximately 3,000 annual openings. These openings reflect both newly created positions and the need to replace workers who move to other roles or retire. Together, the growth rate and annual openings suggest that people entering this field can expect a consistent stream of job opportunities. The same 4.3% growth rate appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating broadly similar projected momentum in those regions. For students planning their careers and workers considering a transition into this field, the combination of measurable growth and recurring openings points to a labor market that can absorb new talent on an ongoing basis, provided candidates bring the required education and skill set.
Career opportunities for agricultural technicians vary by state and metro area, with differences in salary, employment size, and overall opportunity scores. Among states, California ranks highest by opportunity score (67.38), combining a relatively large employment base of 2,420 with a median salary of $60,320. New York follows with an opportunity score of 65.78, a median salary of $45,830, and employment of 380. Colorado, Washington, and Virginia offer smaller employment numbers but still solid opportunity scores between about 55 and 57, with median salaries ranging from $41,210 in Virginia to $48,220 in Washington. At the metro level, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria and Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim stand out, with opportunity scores above 62 and median salaries of $58,730 and $63,630, respectively. Other metros like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Minneapolis show opportunity scores in the mid-50s and median salaries in the low $50,000s. These differences give candidates multiple geographic options depending on their salary and location preferences.
The typical education requirement for agricultural technicians is an associate’s degree, providing a clear and accessible pathway into the field. This level of education supports the blend of technical and analytical skills the role demands. Key skills include science and mathematics, which underpin data-oriented and quantitative aspects of the work. Mechanical skills, fine motor abilities, and physical strength and stamina support more hands-on tasks. Project management, writing and reading, and computers and information technology skills indicate the importance of organizing work, documenting results, and using digital tools effectively. Critical and analytical thinking, along with creativity and innovation, round out the profile by emphasizing problem solving and the ability to develop or refine approaches. For students planning their education, focusing on programs that build these specific skill areas alongside the associate’s degree requirement can help align training with the expectations of this occupation and strengthen employability at entry.
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