Function

• Agriculture technicians obtain samples from the tissue or blood of animals or various parts of plants, operate machinery used for scientific testing, and help record data from experiments. Technicians may perform other tasks under the direction of agricultural scientists but rarely are called upon to interpret data or write formal clinical reports.
  
  

Types

• Some agricultural research technicians work for federal or state government agencies whereas others work for universities, private research groups, or other nonprofit organizations. Technicians may also find work with publicly-traded companies that produce food products or technology for the agricultural industry.
  
  

Skills

• Successful agriculture research technicians possess attentiveness to detail, the ability to follow oral and written instructions, and knowledge of both scientific equipment and how to care for plants and animals. Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, data entry, and email software is generally necessary as well.
  
  

Education

• Employers require agriculture research technicians to have a minimum of a high school diploma. Some prefer applicants who have associates degrees in agriculture, food science, or another scientific field like biology.
  
  

Compensation

• As of May 2008, agriculture research technicians averaged annual salaries of $36,470, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.