Occupation · SOC 19-4012.01
Precision Agriculture Technicians
Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
987 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningWritingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningMonitoringMathematicsJudgment and Decision MakingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisTime ManagementLearning StrategiesCoordinationScienceOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisOperation and ControlSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationPersuasionInstructingTroubleshootingQuality Control AnalysisNegotiationEquipment MaintenanceRepairingProgrammingManagement of Personnel ResourcesEquipment SelectionManagement of Material ResourcesInstallationManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology Design
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsSales and MarketingMathematicsEnglish LanguageEngineering and TechnologyBiologyFood ProductionMechanicalGeographyEducation and TrainingChemistryProduction and ProcessingTelecommunicationsPhysicsAdministrativeTransportationDesignAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentPersonnel and Human ResourcesPsychologyBuilding and ConstructionForeign LanguageSociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologyMedicine and DentistryFine Arts
Technology & tools
AGCO GTA Software SuiteAg Leader Technology SMS AdvancedESRI ArcGIS softwareESRI ArcPadESRI ArcViewFarm Works Site ProGeoAgro GISGeographic information system GIS systemsGlobal positioning system GPS softwareJohn Deere Apex Farm ManagementMapShots EASi SuiteMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordNovariant AutoFarm AF ViewerSST Development Group SSToolboxTrimble AgGPS EZ-MapTrimble AgGPS MultiPlaneWeb browser software
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersGetting InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsSelling or Influencing OthersThinking CreativelyMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsScheduling Work and ActivitiesProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsTraining and Teaching OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping and Building TeamsControlling Machines and ProcessesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling Resources
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Field data recorders and basic GIS software — operate under direct supervision to collect soil attributes, yield data, and field boundary information on assigned agricultural sites.Precision agriculture records and documentation — maintain and organize under technician guidance using spreadsheet and office suite software in a farm or agribusiness setting.GPS-based vehicle guidance systems and sensors — assist with installation and basic setup following written protocols on farm equipment under supervisor oversight.Soil sampling grids — support development by following pre-established geospatial templates to identify testing sites for nitrogen, phosphorus, and pH content.Georeferenced field zones — recognize and label on existing maps based on provided soil characteristic data under the direction of a senior technician.Map creation software and GIS platforms — perform entry-level data entry and layer loading tasks with direct instruction in a precision agriculture office environment.Crop yield and soil test datasets — review and describe basic patterns with guidance, using analytical software provided by the employer.Technical manuals and agronomic reports — read and summarize key information under supervision to support daily data collection and field preparation tasks.Sensor calibration procedures — follow step-by-step written checklists to verify basic equipment function on field machinery at the start of a crop season.Mobile location-based services software — use to navigate to assigned sampling sites and log field observations under direct technician supervision.
developing
Soil sampling grids and georeferenced zones — develop independently using geospatial technology to identify testing sites for nutrient content and pH across familiar field conditions.Precision agriculture data records — maintain accurately and update routinely in database and spreadsheet software with minimal oversight across multiple farm accounts.Agricultural field boundaries and zone maps — create and refine in GIS software by integrating soil characteristics and production potential data for standard field configurations.GPS guidance systems, sensors, and mechanical controls — install, calibrate, and troubleshoot following established protocols with reduced supervision on commercial farm equipment.Crop yield maps and soil test data layers — compare and analyze using map creation software to identify spatial patterns and support preliminary site-specific management recommendations.Geospatial datasets including terrain, drainage, and input application records — layer and interpret in GIS to draw agronomic conclusions in routine field scenarios.Written field reports and management summaries — compose clearly using office suite and word processing software to communicate findings to farm operators and agronomists.Equipment calibration logs and maintenance schedules — manage proactively to ensure sensor accuracy and system reliability across a seasonal field operations cycle.Mathematics and basic statistical methods — apply to interpret soil nutrient levels, yield variability, and fertilizer rate calculations in support of prescription map development.Client field information and service requests — coordinate and prioritize using time management practices to meet scheduled sampling and data delivery deadlines.
proficient
Complex geospatial datasets including yield, soil quality, weather, and field history — analyze autonomously to determine agricultural implications and develop site-specific crop management plans.Multi-layer precision agriculture maps covering crop yields, chemical applications, and terrain — create, interpret, and present to farm operators using advanced GIS and map creation software.Crop yield maps cross-referenced with soil test, fertilizer, and drainage data — compare systematically to produce variable-rate application prescriptions and management zone recommendations.Full-season calibration and maintenance programs for GPS guidance, sensors, and automated controls — design and execute independently to sustain data accuracy across diverse equipment fleets.Soil sampling strategies for non-routine field conditions such as irregular terrain or mixed soil series — develop using inductive and deductive reasoning to optimize sampling density and site selection.Precision agriculture information systems including databases, GIS platforms, and analytical software — integrate across tools to support seamless data flow from field collection through agronomic reporting.Site-specific nutrient management and production efficiency challenges — solve using critical thinking and systems analysis across the full scope of field, crop, and environmental variables.Technical findings and agronomic recommendations — communicate clearly and persuasively in written reports and oral presentations tailored to farm managers, agronomists, and agricultural consultants.Emerging geospatial and sensor technologies — evaluate for practical applicability and integrate into existing field data collection and analysis workflows on active commercial operations.Quality control reviews of field data collection, map accuracy, and record completeness — conduct systematically to ensure deliverable integrity across all assigned farm accounts.
advanced
Precision agriculture service programs and technical standards — design and implement at organizational scale, setting protocols for data collection, analysis, and reporting across multiple technician teams.Junior and mid-level precision agriculture technicians — mentor and develop through structured on-the-job coaching, learning strategy instruction, and performance feedback in field and office settings.Enterprise-wide geospatial data management systems — evaluate, select, and configure to optimize workflow efficiency, data integrity, and analytical capability across large agribusiness operations.Strategic crop management frameworks integrating soil quality, productivity mapping, input economics, and weather modeling — lead development and continuous refinement for client portfolios.Cross-functional teams including agronomists, farm operators, equipment dealers, and technology vendors — coordinate and align to deliver integrated precision agriculture solutions at regional or national scale.Organizational best practices for GIS, sensor technology, and variable-rate application systems — establish and update based on emerging research, technology advances, and field performance data.Complex, non-routine agronomic and geospatial problems affecting multiple farms or commodities — resolve by applying advanced systems analysis, judgment, and decision-making leadership.Precision agriculture business proposals, technical presentations, and stakeholder reports — author and deliver at executive and client leadership levels to drive adoption of data-driven farm management.Quality assurance and continuous improvement programs for all precision agriculture data products — lead across the organization, defining accuracy standards, audit procedures, and corrective action processes.Industry knowledge and professional networks in precision agriculture, geospatial science, and agronomy — cultivate and leverage to position the organization at the forefront of technological innovation and service excellence.
Also known as
22 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Agriculture SpecialistAgriculture Technician (Agriculture Tech)Agrintelligence Specialist (Agriculture Intelligence Specialist)AgronomistAgronomy ConsultantAgronomy SpecialistCertified Crop SpecialistCrop ConsultantCrop SpecialistExtension Precision Agriculture SpecialistField AgronomistField Sales AgronomistGPS Field Data Collector (Global Positioning System Field Data Collector)Migration SpecialistPrecision Agriculture Analyst (Precision Ag Analyst)Precision Agriculture Specialist (Precision Ag Specialist)Precision Agriculture Technician (Precision Ag Tech)Precision AgronomistPrecision Farming CoordinatorPrecision Farming SpecialistPrecision Technology Agronomist (Precision Tech Agronomist)Technical Agronomist