Agronomist
Snapshot
Agronomists provide consulting services to companies, agricultural cooperatives, agronomical crop growers and horticultural crop growers on the cultivation of food crops. They study the science, technology and business related to growing plants. They examine crops and perform experiments in order to improve crop yields and farms' production. Agronomists also examine the most effective ways to harvest and cultivate plants.
Agronomists work directly with farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and crop growers, providing expert advice and solutions to enhance their operations. Your days might involve analyzing soil conditions, identifying crop diseases, designing and implementing cultivation strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of different harvesting methods. You’ll use scientific principles and practical experimentation to improve crop quality, increase yields, and promote environmentally responsible farming techniques.
- • Assess soil health and nutrient levels to determine optimal fertilizer application.
- • Identify and diagnose plant diseases and pest infestations, recommending effective control measures.
- • Develop and implement crop management plans, including planting schedules, irrigation strategies, and harvesting techniques.
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 professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Italy.
Longest-running shortage: Slovenia, 2 years.
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, Australia, Malta)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $78,850 2025-05 | +5.4% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2022 * | — | +35.5% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| 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 agronomist
The outlook for agronomist 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 agronomist 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
- supervise hygiene procedures in agricultural settings
- apply horticultural standards and practices
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- research improvement of crop yields
- cultivate crops for biomass
- manage livestock
Tasks most exposed to automation
- manage nutrients
- gather experimental data
- execute analytical mathematical calculations
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
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 agronomist
09 09:00 · Morning manage crop rotation
10 10:30 · Mid-morning manage livestock
12 12:00 · Midday apply horticultural standards and practices
14 14:00 · Afternoon apply safety procedures in laboratory
15 15:30 · Late afternoon consult with business clients
17 17:00 · Wrap-up cultivate crops for biomass
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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cultivate crops for biomass
Carry out the cultivation of crops for bio-mass, process of crops for bio-mass.
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manage crop rotation
Plan and perform crop rotation and other crop management techniques such us rotation by plant family or by nutrients requirements, to optimitise soil nutrients, improve its fertility, prevent erosion as well as to combat weed and pest pressure.
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manage nutrients
Collect and process samples of soil and plant tissue. Supervise application of lime and fertilisers.
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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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supervise hygiene procedures in agricultural settings
Ensure that hygiene procedures in agricultural settings are followed, taking into account the regulations of specific areas of action e.q. livestock, plants, local farm products, etc.
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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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perform laboratory tests
Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
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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 horticultural standards and practices
Establishes and maintains high horticultural standards and practices; providing direction, training and motivation for the horticultural staff, interns and volunteers.
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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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consult with business clients
Communicate with clients of a business or business project in order to introduce new ideas, obtain feedback, and find solutions to problems.
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research improvement of crop yields
Study crop production in order to discover the best way to plant, gather, and cultivate crops to increase productivity.
agroecology
The study and application of ecological and agronomic concepts and principles to agricultural production systems.
budgetary principles
Principles of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compile regular budget and reports.
consultation methods
Techniques used to facilitate clear and open communication and the provision of advice between individuals, communities or the government, such as discussion groups or one-on-one interviews.
crop production principles
Principles in growing crops, the natural cycle, nursing of nature, growth conditions and principles of organic and sustainable production. Quality criterias and requirements of seeds, plants and crop.
European pesticide legislation
The EU framework for community action which promotes the sustainable use of pesticides.
horticulture principles
The standard horticultural practices, including but not limited to planting, pruning, corrective pruning, and fertilisation.
irrigation systems
The methods and systems management in irrigation.
livestock species
Livestock species and relevant genetics.
pesticides
Types of chemical characteristics of pesticides and their adverse human and environmental effects.
plant disease control
Types and features of diseases in plants and crops. Different kinds control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and handling of products.
plant harvest methods
The various methods, timing and equipment involved in harvesting different crops and plants.
plant propagation
Types of different propagation methods, materials and seeds and their criteria for health and quality.
Path to become an agronomist
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
Regulated in 5 countries on record. Minimum EQF 6–7, 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.
2,408 programmes in 31 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 174 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Crop Science)
University College Dublin · Ireland
Higher Certificate in Science in Agricultural Science
Munster Technological University · Ireland
Online master's Plant Breeding
Wageningen University · the Netherlands
Master of Science (Agriculture) (Agriculture & Food Science)
University College Dublin · Ireland
These are 6 of 2,582.
Sources
- 1. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
- 2. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does agronomist 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 is typically required to become an agronomist?
Do agronomists primarily work outdoors?
What are the key skills needed to succeed as an agronomist?
How much does Agronomist pay in the United States?
Is Agronomist a regulated profession?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data