How long does it take to become an agricultural technician?

Typically about two years for the degree, then a few months to a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do agricultural technicians make?

The US median is $49,630 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become an agricultural technician?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become an agricultural technician?

1,691 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

🎓 My University View

Home › Careers › Agricultural technicians

How to become an agricultural technician

Science · SOC 19-4012

$49,630US median pay, 2025

+5.4%Projected growth, 2025–35

2,800Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Associate's degree
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Work as an agricultural technician

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Biology/Biological Sciences, General	CIP 26.0101	1,632
Agriculture, General	CIP 01.0000	146
Animal Sciences, General	CIP 01.0901	116
Agronomy and Crop Science	CIP 01.1102	60
Plant Sciences, General	CIP 01.1101	44
Soil Science and Agronomy, General	CIP 01.1201	29
Dairy Science	CIP 01.0905	15
Poultry Science	CIP 01.0907	7
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs, Other	CIP 01.1399	1

See the 1,691 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become an agricultural technician?: Typically about two years for the degree, then a few months to a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do agricultural technicians make?: The US median is $49,630 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become an agricultural technician?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become an agricultural technician?: 1,691 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Science

Occupational health and safety specialists · Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other · Medical scientists, except epidemiologists · Biological technicians · Chemical technicians · Environmental scientists and specialists, including health · Chemists · Environmental science and protection technicians, including health