Overview
All Agricultural Technicians
-
$1,441 Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
-
3,400 workers Employment Size
-
High skill Skill level rating
-
80% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
42 hours Average full-time
-
40 years Average age
-
37% female Gender Share
Agricultural Technicians perform tests and experiments, and provide technical support to assist Agricultural Scientists in areas such as research, production, servicing and marketing.
Also known as: Agricultural Technical Officer.
Specialisations: Agriculture Laboratory Technician, Artificial Insemination Technical Officer, Dairy Technician, Field Crop Technical Officer, Herd Tester, Horticultural Technical Officer.
You usually need a formal qualification in agricultural science or technology to work as an Agricultural Technician. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Tasks
- examining topographical, physical and soil characteristics of farmland to determine its most effective use and identify nutrient deficiencies
- assisting in developing new methods of planting, fertilising, harvesting and processing crops to achieve optimum land usage
- identifying pathogenic micro-organisms and insects, parasites, fungi and weeds harmful to crops and livestock, and assisting in devising methods of control
- analysing produce to set and maintain standards of quality
- inspecting livestock to gauge the effectiveness of feed formulae
- assisting in controlled breeding experiments to develop improved crop and livestock strains
- arranging the supply of drugs, vaccines and other chemicals to Farmers and Farm Managers, and giving advice on their use
- collecting and collating data for research
- planning slaughtering, harvesting and other aspects of production processes
- may advise producers on farming techniques and management
Prospects
The number of people working as Agricultural Technicians (in their main job) grew very strongly over 5 years:
from 1,400 in 2014 to 3,400 in 2019.
Caution: The Australian jobs market is changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These estimates do not take account of the impact of COVID-19. They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with extreme caution.
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Agricultural Technicians work in many regions of Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and Public Administration and Safety.
- Earnings: Full-time workers on an adult wage earn around $1,441 per week (similar to the average of $1,460). Earnings tend to be lower when starting out and higher as experience grows.
- Full-time: Many work full-time (80%, higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 42 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 40 years (compared to the average of 40 years).
- Gender: 37% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Employment Outlook
Caution: The 2019 employment projections do not take account of any impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and are therefore no longer reflective of current labour market conditions. As such, they should be used, and interpreted, with extreme caution. Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, National Skills Commission trend data to May 2019 and projections to 2024.
Weekly Earnings
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), May 2018, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Main Industries
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).
States and Territories
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Education Level
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Pathways
You usually need a formal qualification in agricultural science or technology to work as an Agricultural Technician. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation & Land Management VET training pathways.
Skills & Knowledge
Employers look for Agricultural Technicians who have strong interpersonal skills, are flexible and can provide good customer service.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
Biology
Plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Geography
Describing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Clerical
Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
Personnel and human resources
Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Engineering and technology
Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Food production
Planting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
Customer and personal service
Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
Law and government
How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Writing
Writing things for co-workers or customers.
-
Complex problem solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
Active listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Instructing
Teaching people how to do something.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Learning strategies
Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
Mathematics
Using maths to solve problems.
-
Operation monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Management of personnel resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
Serving others
Looking for ways to help people.
-
Negotiation
Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Written comprehension
Read and understand written information.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Oral expression
Communicate by speaking.
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Written expression
Write in a way that people can understand.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Colour discrimination
Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
Mathematics
Choose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Brainstorming
Come up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
Originality
Come up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
Working with numbers
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide.
-
Perceptual speed
Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Thinking creatively
Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Controlling equipment or machines
Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
Communicating within a team
Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Scheduling work and activities
Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
Documenting or recording information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
Making sense of information and ideas
Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
Explaining things to people
Helping people to understand and use information.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
Working with computers
Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-4011.01 - Agricultural Technicians.
Work Environment
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
Electronic mail
Use electronic mail.
-
Freedom to make decisions
Have freedom to make decision on your own.
-
Telephone
Talk on the telephone.
-
Repeating same tasks
Repeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Indoors, heat controlled
Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
Lead or coordinate a team
Lead others to do work activities.
-
Health and safety of others
Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
Outdoors, exposed to weather
Work outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
Exposure to contaminants
Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
-
Indoors, not heat controlled
Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
Consequence of error
Work where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
Frequent decision making
Frequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
Responsible for outcomes
Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
-
Relationships
Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
Support
Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
Independence
Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
Working conditions
Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
Achievement
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
Recognition
Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
Practical
Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
Administrative
Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
Enterprising
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
Helping
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-4011.01 - Agricultural Technicians.
All Agricultural Technicians
-
$1,441 Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
-
3,400 workers Employment Size
-
High skill Skill level rating
-
80% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
42 hours Average full-time
-
40 years Average age
-
37% female Gender Share
Agricultural Technicians perform tests and experiments, and provide technical support to assist Agricultural Scientists in areas such as research, production, servicing and marketing.
Also known as: Agricultural Technical Officer.
Specialisations: Agriculture Laboratory Technician, Artificial Insemination Technical Officer, Dairy Technician, Field Crop Technical Officer, Herd Tester, Horticultural Technical Officer.
You usually need a formal qualification in agricultural science or technology to work as an Agricultural Technician. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Tasks
- examining topographical, physical and soil characteristics of farmland to determine its most effective use and identify nutrient deficiencies
- assisting in developing new methods of planting, fertilising, harvesting and processing crops to achieve optimum land usage
- identifying pathogenic micro-organisms and insects, parasites, fungi and weeds harmful to crops and livestock, and assisting in devising methods of control
- analysing produce to set and maintain standards of quality
- inspecting livestock to gauge the effectiveness of feed formulae
- assisting in controlled breeding experiments to develop improved crop and livestock strains
- arranging the supply of drugs, vaccines and other chemicals to Farmers and Farm Managers, and giving advice on their use
- collecting and collating data for research
- planning slaughtering, harvesting and other aspects of production processes
- may advise producers on farming techniques and management
The number of people working as Agricultural Technicians (in their main job) grew very strongly over 5 years:
from 1,400 in 2014 to 3,400 in 2019.
Caution: The Australian jobs market is changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These estimates do not take account of the impact of COVID-19. They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with extreme caution.
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Agricultural Technicians work in many regions of Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and Public Administration and Safety.
- Earnings: Full-time workers on an adult wage earn around $1,441 per week (similar to the average of $1,460). Earnings tend to be lower when starting out and higher as experience grows.
- Full-time: Many work full-time (80%, higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 42 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 40 years (compared to the average of 40 years).
- Gender: 37% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Employment Outlook
Caution: The 2019 employment projections do not take account of any impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and are therefore no longer reflective of current labour market conditions. As such, they should be used, and interpreted, with extreme caution. Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, National Skills Commission trend data to May 2019 and projections to 2024.
Weekly Earnings
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), May 2018, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Main Industries
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).
States and Territories
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Education Level
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
You usually need a formal qualification in agricultural science or technology to work as an Agricultural Technician. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation & Land Management VET training pathways.
Employers look for Agricultural Technicians who have strong interpersonal skills, are flexible and can provide good customer service.
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
Biology
Plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
-
Computers and electronics
Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
Geography
Describing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
-
Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
Clerical
Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
Chemistry
Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
English language
English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Administration and management
Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
Education and training
Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
Personnel and human resources
Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
Mechanical
Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Engineering and technology
Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
Physics
The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
Public safety and security
Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Food production
Planting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
-
Communications and media
Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
Customer and personal service
Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
Production and processing
Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
Law and government
How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
Transportation
Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
Critical thinking
Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
Reading comprehension
Reading work related information.
-
Writing
Writing things for co-workers or customers.
-
Complex problem solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
Active listening
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
Monitoring
Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
Speaking
Talking to others.
-
Active learning
Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
Coordination with others
Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
Instructing
Teaching people how to do something.
-
Judgment and decision making
Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
Learning strategies
Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
Mathematics
Using maths to solve problems.
-
Operation monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
-
Social perceptiveness
Understanding why people react the way they do.
-
Time management
Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
Management of personnel resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
Serving others
Looking for ways to help people.
-
Negotiation
Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
-
Near vision
See details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
Written comprehension
Read and understand written information.
-
Oral comprehension
Listen to and understand what people say.
-
Oral expression
Communicate by speaking.
-
Problem spotting
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
Written expression
Write in a way that people can understand.
-
Inductive reasoning
Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
Deductive reasoning
Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
Categorising
Come up with different ways of grouping things.
-
Sorting or ordering
Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
Colour discrimination
Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
Mathematics
Choose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
-
Arm-hand steadiness
Keep your hand or arm steady.
-
Brainstorming
Come up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
-
Control precision
Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
Finger dexterity
Put together small parts with your fingers.
-
Flexibility of closure
See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
Originality
Come up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
Working with numbers
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide.
-
Perceptual speed
Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
Collecting and organising information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
Looking for changes over time
Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
Monitoring people, processes and things
Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
Planning and prioritising work
Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
Researching and investigating
Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
Thinking creatively
Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
Doing physically active work
Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
Making decisions and solving problems
Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
Controlling equipment or machines
Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
Communicating within a team
Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
Training and teaching others
Understanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
Scheduling work and activities
Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
Documenting or recording information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
Making sense of information and ideas
Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
-
Checking for errors or defects
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
Explaining things to people
Helping people to understand and use information.
-
Checking compliance with standards
Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Estimating amounts, costs and resources
Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
-
Working with computers
Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-4011.01 - Agricultural Technicians.
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
-
Face-to-face discussions
Talk with people face-to-face.
-
Being exact or accurate
Be very exact or highly accurate.
-
Contact with people
Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
Teamwork
Work with people in a group or team.
-
Electronic mail
Use electronic mail.
-
Freedom to make decisions
Have freedom to make decision on your own.
-
Telephone
Talk on the telephone.
-
Repeating same tasks
Repeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
Indoors, heat controlled
Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
Lead or coordinate a team
Lead others to do work activities.
-
Health and safety of others
Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
Unstructured work
Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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Outdoors, exposed to weather
Work outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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Exposure to contaminants
Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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Time pressure
Work to strict deadlines.
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Indoors, not heat controlled
Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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Consequence of error
Work where mistakes have serious consequences.
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Frequent decision making
Frequently make decisions that impact other people.
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Responsible for outcomes
Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
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Relationships
Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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Support
Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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Independence
Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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Working conditions
Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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Achievement
Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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Recognition
Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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Practical
Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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Analytical
Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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Administrative
Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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Enterprising
Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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Helping
Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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Creative
Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-4011.01 - Agricultural Technicians.