Agricultural Technician Salary
The agricultural technician is a farm worker who works on a modern day farm. Due to the technological advancements of the farming business, more training is required than what people used to need. Modern machinery has quickly replaced more basic farming tools, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides have created a need for a more advanced farm worker. The agricultural technician should be familiar with all of the modern farm machinery, and even the chemical needs of the modern agribusiness, including what can harm plants and animals, common issues that arise with the use of chemicals, how the crops are harvested and processed, and even the business side of agriculture, such as dealing with banks, selling of the product, and how to manage laborers. Many agricultural technicians work in larger cooperatives and farms, with many even working with agricultural scientists who work to advance the technologies used in modern farming. Agricultural technicians are often research assistants or aides to scientists or are considered technical farm workers.
Agricultural technicians will never truly work a nine-to-five schedule, except in certain scientific settings. Due to the constant needs of the crops and livestock, agricultural technicians may work less than forty hours a week, or 12 hour days, seven days a week, entirely depending on the needs of the farm.
When looking to become an agricultural technician, farm experience is not required, but it always helps. Many agricultural technicians do posses a college degree. In order to get this position, you will need to have a minimum of a high school diploma and a two year Associate's Degree or certification. Having a focus on biology and chemistry while still in high school can greatly increase you chances of getting a job as an agricultural technician. Most of the Associate's Degrees can be earned at a community college. Most large farms and co-ops will accept experience in place of a degree, but this will need to be extensive experience.
The average farm technician salary tends to be based on an hourly rate, averaging at around $13.50 an hour. Those starting out in this industry could start as low as $10, and those with extensive experience could be as high as $17.00. The rate of pay generally increases the longer you stay with a particular farm or co-op, and many try to either start their own later down the road or go back to school and receive addition training and degrees.
The agricultural technician salary may be low, but there are always areas of improvement. This profession also has a very good outlook, since many of the common farm laborers simply perform general tasks. Having this set of skills can help you greatly in the agribusiness industry.
