Agricultural Technicians
SOC Code: 19-4012 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Agricultural Technicians. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $35,298 | $49,213 | $63,107 | $77,022 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $39,957 | $52,146 | $64,314 | $76,502 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $39,146 | $51,542 | $63,918 | $76,315 |
| Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $37,461 | $50,357 | $63,232 | $76,128 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $39,229 | $51,376 | $63,502 | $75,650 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $38,230 | $50,253 | $62,275 | $74,298 |
| Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $36,171 | $48,859 | $61,547 | $74,235 |
| Waco, TX | $37,794 | $49,691 | $61,568 | $73,466 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $36,171 | $48,173 | $60,195 | $72,197 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $34,965 | $47,299 | $59,654 | $71,989 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| LSU Agricultural Center | 32 | $48,259 |
| Lignium Corp | 6 | $34,833 |
| Virginia State University | 5 | $64,488 |
| TRUENATURAL LLC | 5 | $58,832 |
| Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska | 3 | $53,500 |
| Envy Wines LLC | 2 | $42,640 |
| Fisher Vineyards Inc. | 1 | $52,000 |
| SMALL VINES WINES INC | 1 | $52,000 |
| Saddlehill Cellars LLC | 1 | $33,280 |
| Semex USA, Inc. | 1 | $54,000 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | $42,858 |
| 2023 | 11 | $45,164 |
| 2024 | 20 | $48,162 |
| 2025 | 28 | $49,885 |
| 2026 | 2 | $55,643 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.4 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Active Listening | 3.2 | |
| Active Learning | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Writing | 3.1 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Instructing | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Food Production | 3.6 |
| Biology | 3.5 |
| Chemistry | 3.4 |
| Mechanical | 3.4 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 |
| Administration and Management | 3.0 |
| English Language | 3.0 |
| Education and Training | 2.9 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 41.3% |
| Bachelor's degree | 18.2% |
| Associate's degree | 13.2% |
| Post-first professional | 7.2% |
| Master's degree | 6.0% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 5.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 5.5% |
| Less than high school | 3.2% |
Typical Tasks
- Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
- Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
- Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
- Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
- Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.
- Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.
- Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.
- Collect animal or crop samples.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word SAP software Desktop publishing software Email software Geographic information system GIS systems Global positioning system GPS software Spreadsheet software Statistical software Web browser software Word processing software
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