Career comparison
Agricultural Technician vs. Pesticide Applicator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Agricultural technicians earn more at the median ($49,630 vs. $46,340), while pesticide applicators usually get to work faster (1–3 months + license exam of training). Agricultural technicians support crop, soil and livestock research in fields and labs. Pesticide applicators apply fertilizers and pesticides safely to lawns, crops and rights-of-way.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Agricultural Technician | Pesticide Applicator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,630 ($23.86/hr) | $46,340 ($22.28/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,980 – $76,480 | $35,570 – $61,420 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.4% (faster than average) | +3.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 2,800 | 3,300 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 2 years | 1–3 months + license exam |
| Key credential | Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) | State commercial applicator license |
| Work setting | Technicians split time between fields, greenhouses and labs, working outdoors in heat and weather during the season.. | Applicators work outdoors in neighborhoods, fields, golf courses and along roads, wearing protective equipment.. |
What each job does
Agricultural Technician
- Plant and maintain research plots
- Collect soil, plant and water samples
- Measure growth, yield and quality
- Run lab tests and prepare samples
- Operate plot planters and harvesters
Pesticide Applicator
- Identify weeds, insects and diseases
- Select and mix products
- Calibrate spray and spreader equipment
- Apply treatments safely
- Keep application records
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, hands-on work, and steady routines. Both are part of the agriculture, landscaping & animal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose agricultural technician if…
- I like science and farming
- I enjoy both field and lab work
- I’m careful with measurements
Choose pesticide applicator if…
- I like working outdoors
- I follow instructions carefully
- I like independent route work
Still torn? Take the Agricultural Technician fit quiz and the Pesticide Applicator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, agricultural technician or pesticide applicator?
Agricultural Technicians earn more at the median: $49,630 versus $46,340 for pesticide applicators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Pesticide Applicators typically train faster (1–3 months + license exam) than agricultural technicians (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects agricultural technicians to grow +5.4% from 2025–35, compared with +3.9% for pesticide applicators.