Headline risk
2%
Very Low RiskAgricultural technicians
AI displacement pressure score for United States AI Work Index, combining global AI task overlap with local wages, employment trends, and demand signals.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
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.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 1% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 46,790
Employment 2024
18.6K
Projected Change (2024–34)
4.3%
Openings (2024–34)
2.9K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of agricultural and food science technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information. AI use: 0%
- 2. Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS). AI use: 0%
- 3. Use geospatial technology to develop soil sampling grids or identify sampling sites for testing characteristics such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium content, pH, or micronutrients. AI use: 0%
- 4. Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials. AI use: 0%
- 5. Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history. AI use: 0%
- 6. Analyze geospatial data to determine agricultural implications of factors such as soil quality, terrain, field productivity, fertilizers, or weather conditions. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 43.1 · 55K employed
Under 25: 4% · 25–54: 75% · 55+: 22%
Related
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Data quality
Employment data available
Narrative & sources
Agricultural and food science technicians help scientists with testing and research related to plants, animals, fibers, and food and beverage products.
Agricultural and food science technicians work in laboratories, processing plants, farms and ranches, greenhouses, and offices. Most agricultural and food science technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Entry requirements for agricultural and food science technicians vary. Some employers require or prefer that candidates have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, agriculture, or a related field. Other employers hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent and related work experience.
The median annual wage for agricultural technicians was $46,790 in May 2024.
Overall employment of agricultural and food science technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Important context
This score measures structural AI displacement pressure, not actual job losses. Local wages and demand data are specific to United States AI Work Index; the underlying AI task overlap analysis is consistent across all countries.