Agricultural Technicians
SOC: 19-4011.01 · Job Zone 3 (Medium preparation)
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.
AI Impact Summary
Agricultural Technicians faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 42/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2038 and 2046. Of 26 analyzed tasks, 6 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 24.5%
Skill Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (7)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (5)
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Agricultural Technicians professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Negotiation
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Task Breakdown
26 tasks analyzed
Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.
Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results.
Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.
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.
Supervise pest or weed control operations, including locating and identifying pests or weeds, selecting chemicals and application methods, or scheduling application.
Record environmental data from field samples of soil, air, water, or pests to monitor the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.
Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.
Conduct studies of nitrogen or alternative fertilizer application methods, quantities, or timing to ensure satisfaction of crop needs and minimization of leaching, runoff, or denitrification.
Conduct insect or plant disease surveys.
Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests.
Perform tests on seeds to evaluate seed viability.
Perform general nursery duties, such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, maintaining cuttings of plants, or controlling environmental conditions.
Devise cultural methods or environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent.
Respond to general inquiries or requests from the public.
Prepare culture media, following standard procedures.
Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants.
Prepare or present agricultural demonstrations.
Determine the germination rates of seeds planted in specified areas.
Assess comparative soil erosion from various planting or tillage systems, such as conservation tillage with mulch or ridge till systems, no-till systems, or conventional tillage systems with or without moldboard plows.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 7% |
| Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing. | Routine Manual | 35 | 47.0 | 6% |
| Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 5% |
| Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops. | Routine Manual | 50 | 53.0 | 5% |
| Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively. | Routine Manual | 35 | 47.0 | 5% |
| Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing. | Routine Manual | 30 | 45.0 | 5% |
| Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems. | Non-Routine Analytical | 80 | 59.0 | 5% |
| Collect animal or crop samples. | Routine Manual | 30 | 45.0 | 5% |
| Supervise pest or weed control operations, including locating and identifying pests or weeds, selecting chemicals and application methods, or scheduling application. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 40 | 31.0 | 4% |
| Record environmental data from field samples of soil, air, water, or pests to monitor the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) practices. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 4% |
| Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 20 | 23.0 | 4% |
| Conduct studies of nitrogen or alternative fertilizer application methods, quantities, or timing to ensure satisfaction of crop needs and minimization of leaching, runoff, or denitrification. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 4% |
| Conduct insect or plant disease surveys. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 3% |
| Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness. | Non-Routine Manual | 10 | 13.0 | 3% |
| Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring. | Routine Manual | 70 | 61.0 | 3% |
| Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks. | Routine Manual | 70 | 61.0 | 4% |
| Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests. | Routine Manual | 40 | 49.0 | 4% |
| Perform tests on seeds to evaluate seed viability. | Routine Cognitive | 80 | 81.2 | 3% |
| Perform general nursery duties, such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, maintaining cuttings of plants, or controlling environmental conditions. | Routine Manual | 40 | 49.0 | 3% |
| Devise cultural methods or environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent. | Non-Routine Analytical | 60 | 51.0 | 3% |
| Respond to general inquiries or requests from the public. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 70 | 43.0 | 3% |
| Prepare culture media, following standard procedures. | Routine Manual | 40 | 49.0 | 3% |
| Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants. | Routine Manual | 50 | 53.0 | 2% |
| Prepare or present agricultural demonstrations. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 40 | 31.0 | 2% |
| Determine the germination rates of seeds planted in specified areas. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 3% |
| Assess comparative soil erosion from various planting or tillage systems, such as conservation tillage with mulch or ridge till systems, no-till systems, or conventional tillage systems with or without moldboard plows. | Non-Routine Analytical | 75 | 57.0 | 2% |
Community Assessment
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