agricultural technician
Key facts
Are you fascinated by how food is grown and interested in applying scientific principles to improve agricultural practices? As an agricultural technician, you’ll play a vital role in supporting farmers and researchers, ensuring efficient and sustainable food production.
Agricultural technicians work alongside scientists and farmers, providing essential support in a variety of agricultural and aquaculture settings. Your day might involve collecting samples, conducting experiments, analyzing data related to soil, water, and plant health, and assisting in the implementation of best practices. You’ll be involved in both laboratory and field work, contributing to the ongoing improvement of farming techniques and the health of agricultural ecosystems. This role requires a blend of practical skills and scientific understanding.
- • Collecting and analyzing samples of soil, water, and plant material.
- • Conducting experiments and tests to evaluate the effectiveness of fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs.
- • Monitoring environmental conditions and reporting on their impact on crops and livestock.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering associate professionals — 267 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Bulgaria, Denmark, Italy, Sweden.
Where it is regulated, your qualification would need formal recognition before you could practise.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could agricultural technician fit you?
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Future Outlook for agricultural technician
The outlook for agricultural technician reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could agricultural technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could agricultural technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- analyse scientific data
- analyse environmental data
- analyse test data
Tasks most exposed to automation
- gather experimental data
- execute analytical mathematical calculations
- write work-related reports
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Agriculture
A typical day as a agricultural technician
09 09:00 · Morning analyse environmental data
10 10:30 · Mid-morning apply safety procedures in laboratory
12 12:00 · Midday analyse scientific data
14 14:00 · Afternoon analyse test data
15 15:30 · Late afternoon conduct field work
17 17:00 · Wrap-up execute analytical mathematical calculations
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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aeroponics
The cultivation of plants without the use of an aggregate medium such as soil. The roots of plants are directly exposed to the surrounding air or mist and irrigated with nutrient solutions.
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agricultural equipment
The offered agricultural machinery and equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
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agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feed products
The offered agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feed products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
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aquaculture industry
The characteristics and business models of the aquaculture industry, its designs and installations.
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horticulture principles
The standard horticultural practices, including but not limited to planting, pruning, corrective pruning, and fertilisation.
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hydroponics
The cultivation of plants without the use of soil, by applying mineral nutrient solutions.
- laboratory techniques
- agricultural chemicals
- aquaculture reproduction
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analyse scientific data
Collect and analyse scientific data resulting from research. Interpret these data according to certain standards and viewpoints in order to comment on it.
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analyse environmental data
Analyse data that interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
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execute analytical mathematical calculations
Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
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maintain laboratory equipment
Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.
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apply safety procedures in laboratory
Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
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analyse test data
Interpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.
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gather experimental data
Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
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write work-related reports
Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
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conduct field work
Conducts field work or research which is the collection of information outside of a laboratory or workplace setting. Visit places in order to collect specific information about the field.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does agricultural technician fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of education or training is typically required to become an agricultural technician?
- While specific requirements vary, a diploma or associate’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, or a related field is common. Some employers may also accept relevant vocational training or experience.
- Can I work as an agricultural technician if I’m interested in aquaculture (fish farming)?
- Yes! The ESCO description explicitly includes aquaculture, so you can apply your skills to support fish farms and related research.
- What are the typical work conditions for an agricultural technician?
- Agricultural technicians often work both indoors (laboratories) and outdoors (fields, farms). Expect to spend time in varying weather conditions and be prepared for some physical activity. Safety protocols are essential in this role.
- Agricultural Technician — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 10 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary and 2 more. 4 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Agricultural Technician — what does it pay in the United States?
- $46,790 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $37,840 to $64,070. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
- Agricultural Technician — is it a regulated profession?
- It is listed as a regulated profession in 26 European countries: Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Latvia and 22 more. The lowest qualification level required among them is EQF 5. Where a profession is regulated, a qualification earned elsewhere has to be formally recognised before you can practise. Source: EU Regulated Professions Database.