How much does an ag technician make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical ag technician in the United States makes $49,630 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They may collect crop or animal samples in a field, then test seeds or check for disease in a lab. They also care for equipment and record results to help scientists improve crops and animals.
Did you know? Some agricultural technicians test whether seeds are viable and measure how many germinate—a clue to how well a crop may grow.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $35,980 and $76,480How do you become one?
In the U.S., study biology, chemistry, and math in high school, then usually earn an associate degree; some jobs accept high-school graduates with related experience. New hires learn on the job beside an experienced technician or scientist.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
Pay can differ in the U.S. with experience and special skills, the type of employer (such as a university, farm, or research lab), and location. Hours can matter too: some jobs include evenings or weekends, and longer weeks can mean more total pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($60,320), lowest in Illinois ($46,410).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,980 | $49,630 | $76,480 | about 15,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $60,320 | about 2,000 |
| Minnesota | $57,310 | about 530 |
| North Carolina | $51,470 | about 550 |
| Georgia | $48,960 | about 1,000 |
| Idaho | $48,870 | about 650 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/agricultural-and-food-science-t
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-4012.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY