Occupation profile

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.

Median Wage

$46,790/yr • $22.49/hr

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Full Occupation Profile
Job Zone

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.

Education
High school diploma or equivalent: 41%
Bachelor's degree: 18%
Associate's degree: 13%
Skills

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Teaching others how to do something.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Writing computer programs for various purposes.

Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Knowledge Areas

Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Abilities

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

The ability to see details at a distance.

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.

The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.

The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.

The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.

The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.

The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.

The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.

The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.

The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.

The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.

The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.

The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.

The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.

The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.

The ability to see under low-light conditions.

The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Work Context

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

How much does this job require standing?

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

Duration of Typical Work Week
57

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

How much does this job require walking or running?

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

How automated is the job?

How much does this job require sitting?

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

Work Schedules
31

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

Technology Skills

Electronic mail software

Presentation software

Spreadsheet software

Geographic information system

Mobile location based services software

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Office suite software

Word processing software

Analytical or scientific software

Internet browser software

Data base user interface and query software

Desktop publishing software

    Tools and Equipment

    Haymaking machinery

    Incubators or brooders for poultry

    Veterinary castration instruments

    Fertilizer spreaders or distributors

    Fog or mist generators

    Steam autoclaves or sterilizers

    Refrigerated and heated reach in environmental or growth chambers

    Weather stations

    Drying cabinets or ovens

    Ploughs

    Cargo trucks

    Forced air or mechanical convection general purpose incubators

    Dry heat or hot air sterilizers

    Nitrogen or nitrate or nitrite analyzer

    Track bulldozers

    Handheld refractometers or polarimeters

    Reverse osmosis equipment

    Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizer

    Hypodermic injection apparatus

    Threshing machines

    Conveyor screw

    Livestock identification equipment

    Plant samples analysis equipment

    Graders or land levelers

    Animal weighing scales

    Vacuum blood collection tubes or containers

    Light trucks or sport utility vehicles

    Veterinary injection or suction unit

    Entomological catching equipment

    Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus

    Sample holders

    Air samplers or collectors

    Metal inert gas welding machine

    Temperature or humidity surface observing apparatus

    Trenching machines

    Milk cooling tanks

    Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machine

    Medical syringes with needle

    Binocular light compound microscopes

    Laboratory separators

      Ladders

        Air compressors

          Mowers

            Milking machines

              Agricultural tractors

                Harrows

                  Electronic counters

                    Surface thermometers

                      Spectrometers

                        Notebook computer

                        pH meters

                          Harvesters

                            Benchtop centrifuges

                              Disks

                                Infrared lamps

                                  Combine harvesters

                                    Laser printers

                                      Blood collection syringes

                                        Water samplers

                                          Desktop computer

                                          Personal computer

                                          Tablet computer

                                          Power saws

                                            Detailed Work Activities
                                            Work Styles
                                            Dependability
                                            77

                                            A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

                                            Attention to Detail
                                            67

                                            A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

                                            Perseverance
                                            57

                                            A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

                                            Integrity
                                            55

                                            A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

                                            Achievement Orientation
                                            53

                                            A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

                                            Cautiousness
                                            44

                                            A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

                                            Cooperation
                                            42

                                            A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

                                            Initiative
                                            39

                                            A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

                                            Intellectual Curiosity
                                            39

                                            A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

                                            Adaptability
                                            37

                                            A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

                                            Innovation
                                            36

                                            A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

                                            Stress Tolerance
                                            33

                                            A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

                                            Self-Control
                                            32

                                            A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

                                            Tolerance for Ambiguity
                                            32

                                            A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.

                                            Self-Confidence
                                            31

                                            A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

                                            Optimism
                                            27

                                            A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even under difficult circumstances.

                                            Leadership Orientation
                                            24

                                            A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.

                                            Humility
                                            21

                                            A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.

                                            Sincerity
                                            21

                                            A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.

                                            Social Orientation
                                            4

                                            A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

                                            Empathy
                                            3

                                            A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feelings at work.

                                            Work Values

                                            Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

                                            Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

                                            Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

                                            Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

                                            Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

                                            Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

                                            Reference

                                            O*NET in-it

                                            This page includes information from the O*NET Career Exploration Tools by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the O*NET Tools Developer License. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Beesla has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.