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.
AI Impact Summary
Precision Agriculture Technicians faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 37/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 71% of all analyzed occupations. Of 22 analyzed tasks, 3 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
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.
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 (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness 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 (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Precision Agriculture Technicians skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
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AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
22 tasks analyzed
Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).
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.
Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.
Demonstrate the applications of geospatial technology, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), automatic tractor guidance systems, variable rate chemical input applicators, surveying equipment, or computer mapping software.
Identify spatial coordinates, using remote sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS) data.
Apply precision agriculture information to specifically reduce the negative environmental impacts of farming practices.
Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.
Analyze data from harvester monitors to develop yield maps.
Install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls, GPS-based vehicle guidance systems, or computer settings.
Analyze geospatial data to determine agricultural implications of factors such as soil quality, terrain, field productivity, fertilizers, or weather conditions.
Contact equipment manufacturers for technical assistance, as needed.
Program farm equipment, such as variable-rate planting equipment or pesticide sprayers, based on input from crop scouting and analysis of field condition variability.
Draw or read maps, such as soil, contour, or plat maps.
Prepare reports in graphical or tabular form, summarizing field productivity or profitability.
Compare crop yield maps with maps of soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop site-specific crop management plans.
Recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates for specific field areas, based on analysis of geospatial data.
Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.
Analyze remote sensing imagery to identify relationships between soil quality, crop canopy densities, light reflectance, and weather history.
Provide advice on the development or application of better boom-spray technology to limit the overapplication of chemicals and to reduce the migration of chemicals beyond the fields being treated.
Identify areas in need of pesticide treatment by analyzing geospatial data to determine insect movement and damage patterns.
Advise farmers on upgrading Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to take advantage of newly installed advanced satellite technology.
Participate in efforts to advance precision agriculture technology, such as developing advanced weed identification or automated spot spraying systems.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS). | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 8% | |
| 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. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 6% | |
| Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information. | 45.4Observed | 67.4% | 5% | |
| Demonstrate the applications of geospatial technology, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), automatic tractor guidance systems, variable rate chemical input applicators, surveying equipment, or computer mapping software. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 4% | |
| Identify spatial coordinates, using remote sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS) data. | 36.82Observed | 63.9% | 5% | |
| Apply precision agriculture information to specifically reduce the negative environmental impacts of farming practices. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 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. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 6% | |
| Analyze data from harvester monitors to develop yield maps. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 6% | |
| Install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls, GPS-based vehicle guidance systems, or computer settings. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 8% | |
| Analyze geospatial data to determine agricultural implications of factors such as soil quality, terrain, field productivity, fertilizers, or weather conditions. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 6% | |
| Contact equipment manufacturers for technical assistance, as needed. | 60.52Observed | 39.2% | 2% | |
| Program farm equipment, such as variable-rate planting equipment or pesticide sprayers, based on input from crop scouting and analysis of field condition variability. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Draw or read maps, such as soil, contour, or plat maps. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Prepare reports in graphical or tabular form, summarizing field productivity or profitability. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 4% | |
| Compare crop yield maps with maps of soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop site-specific crop management plans. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 6% | |
| Recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates for specific field areas, based on analysis of geospatial data. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 4% | |
| Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials. | 75Estimated | 57.0% | 4% | |
| Analyze remote sensing imagery to identify relationships between soil quality, crop canopy densities, light reflectance, and weather history. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 4% | |
| Provide advice on the development or application of better boom-spray technology to limit the overapplication of chemicals and to reduce the migration of chemicals beyond the fields being treated. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% | |
| Identify areas in need of pesticide treatment by analyzing geospatial data to determine insect movement and damage patterns. | 75Estimated | 57.0% | 3% | |
| Advise farmers on upgrading Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to take advantage of newly installed advanced satellite technology. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% | |
| Participate in efforts to advance precision agriculture technology, such as developing advanced weed identification or automated spot spraying systems. | 76.05Observed | 57.4% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 30.2%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$60,130
per year
Mean Wage
$64,640
per year
Employment
71K
workers
Wage Range
$37,310 - $101,870
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Geological Sample Test Technicians
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Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
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Higher risk than 83% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Precision Agriculture Technicians professionals should diversify beyond them.
- 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.
- 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.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination 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.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking 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.
- Writing
Writing 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.
- 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.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change