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Precision Agriculture Technician

Also called: Agronomist, Crop Specialist, Precision Agriculture Specialist (Precision Ag Specialist), Precision Agronomist

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Science & engineering support
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Median pay
$49,630/yr
Typical range
$35,980 – $76,480
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Precision Agriculture Technician do?

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

  • Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.
  • Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).
  • 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.

How to become a Precision Agriculture Technician

Training: Bachelor's degree or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Reading work related informationListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questionsNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve itThinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best oneFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Is it a fit for you?

  • Innovation
  • Intellectual Curiosity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cautiousness

Tools and technology

ESRI ArcGIS softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsMicrosoft PowerPointFarm Works Site ProMapShots EASi Suite

Questions people ask

How much does a Precision Agriculture Technician make?

About $49,630 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $35,980 and $76,480. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Precision Agriculture Technician?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be a Precision Agriculture Technician?

No four-year degree is needed. Bachelor's degree or an associate's degree or other 2-year degree.

Is Precision Agriculture Technician a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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