How much does a agricultural technician make?
The median agricultural technician in the United States earns $49,630 per year, about $23.86 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all agricultural technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-4012.
Agricultural technician salary range
Pay for agricultural technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,980 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $76,480. The average (mean) wage of $53,840 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,980 | $17.30 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $40,950 | $19.69 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,630 | $23.86 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $63,630 | $30.59 | |
| 90th percentile | $76,480 | $36.77 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for agricultural technicians (SOC 19-4012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Agricultural technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Agricultural technicians earn the most in Iowa at $64,070 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $37,840. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $64,070 | N/A |
| Wyoming | $63,120 | 30 |
| Arizona | $62,990 | N/A |
| California | $60,320 | 2,420 |
| Kentucky | $59,860 | 210 |
| Minnesota | $57,310 | 530 |
| New Jersey | $54,370 | N/A |
| Missouri | $54,060 | 420 |
| Delaware | $52,510 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $51,470 | 550 |
| Texas | $50,270 | 120 |
| Maryland | $49,680 | 200 |
| Georgia | $48,960 | 1,020 |
| Idaho | $48,870 | 650 |
| Mississippi | $48,800 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,800 | 110 |
| Washington | $48,220 | 470 |
| Hawaii | $47,960 | 150 |
| Nebraska | $47,420 | 580 |
| Maine | $47,410 | 50 |
| Kansas | $47,200 | 450 |
| Colorado | $47,020 | 100 |
| North Dakota | $46,960 | 100 |
| Oregon | $46,800 | 480 |
| Arkansas | $46,750 | 260 |
| Utah | $46,560 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $46,470 | 620 |
| Illinois | $46,410 | 700 |
| Indiana | $46,170 | 410 |
| New York | $45,830 | 380 |
| Tennessee | $45,130 | 60 |
| Nevada | $43,590 | 40 |
| Michigan | $42,780 | 450 |
| Florida | $42,700 | 240 |
| New Hampshire | $42,520 | 30 |
| South Dakota | $41,420 | 350 |
| South Carolina | $41,290 | 100 |
| Virginia | $41,210 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $37,840 | N/A |
State median wages for agricultural technicians (SOC 19-4012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for agricultural technicians
The BLS projects employment of agricultural technicians to grow 5.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 19,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 20,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,800 openings a year for agricultural technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an agricultural technician
The typical entry-level education for agricultural technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an agricultural technician earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Iowa, $64,070) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $37,840) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 15,130 people work as agricultural technicians in the United States. At $49,630 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Agricultural technician salary FAQ
How much does an agricultural technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an agricultural technician is $23.86. The middle half of agricultural technicians earn between $19.69 and $30.59 per hour.
What is the highest agricultural technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of agricultural technicians earn more than $76,480 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an agricultural technician make a year?
The median annual salary for an agricultural technician is $49,630. The average (mean) wage of $53,840 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an agricultural technician a well paid job?
At $49,630 a year, an agricultural technician earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 15,130 people work as agricultural technicians in the United States.
Which state pays agricultural technicians the most?
Iowa has the highest median salary for agricultural technicians at $64,070 a year. Wyoming ($63,120) and Arizona ($62,990) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an agricultural technician a good career?
Employment of agricultural technicians is projected to grow 5.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an agricultural technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for agricultural technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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