Agricultural Technician
Key facts
Agricultural technicians collect and conduct experiments and tests on agriculture and aquaculture specimens. They provide support to scientists and farmers and also analyse and report on conditions in the collected specimens' environments.
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.
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.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Malta)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $49,630 2025-05 | +4.3% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +13.7% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
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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.
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.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
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 an 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.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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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.
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.
agricultural equipment
The offered agricultural machinery and equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
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.
aquaculture industry
The characteristics and business models of the aquaculture industry, its designs and installations.
horticulture principles
The standard horticultural practices, including but not limited to planting, pruning, corrective pruning, and fertilisation.
hydroponics
The cultivation of plants without the use of soil, by applying mineral nutrient solutions.
plant harvest methods
The various methods, timing and equipment involved in harvesting different crops and plants.
sustainable agricultural production principles
Principles and conditions of organic and sustainable agricultural production.
viticulture
Understanding of vine growth and principles of viticulture.
- laboratory techniques
- agricultural chemicals
- aquaculture reproduction
Path to become an agricultural technician
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Short-cycle tertiary education
Regulated in 26 countries on record. Minimum EQF 4–7, depending on the country.
Reflects the EU regulated-professions database. Not legal advice — confirm requirements with the relevant national authority before relying on this for a career or immigration decision.
961 programmes in 28 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 119 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Higher Diploma in Business in Fisheries and Aquaculture
South East Technological University · Ireland
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Agricultural Science
Munster Technological University · Ireland
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Agriculture (Part Time)
Dundalk Institute of Technology · Ireland
Higher Certificate in Science in Organic Agriculture
South East Technological University · Ireland
Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Mechanisation)
Teagasc · Ireland
Horticulture
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board · Ireland
These are 6 of 1,080.
Sources
- 1. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does agricultural technician fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of education or training is typically required to become an agricultural technician?
Can I work as an agricultural technician if I’m interested in aquaculture (fish farming)?
What are the typical work conditions for an agricultural technician?
Is there a shortage of Agricultural Technician in Europe?
How much does Agricultural Technician pay in the United States?
Is Agricultural Technician a regulated profession?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data