Crop technician
Crop technicians use technology to help plants grow well, keeping pests away and making sure they are healthy until harvest.
Also known as: Cereals technician, agriculture technician
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£38,000 a year
What you'll do
As a crop technician working in agriculture or horticulture, you could:
- monitor the growth and health of crops
- treat crops to manage pests or disease
- manage plant nutrients depending on the weather and environment
- set up and maintain irrigation systems
- operate and maintain machinery
- follow health and safety guidance and legislation
- use sustainable methods to minimise environmental impact
- stay up to date with new technologies
Working environment
You could work on a farm.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of biology
- thinking and reasoning skills
- maths knowledge
- excellent verbal communication skills
- science skills
- complex problem-solving skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to learn through your work
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a crop technician
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:
- agriculture
- crop science
- environmental science
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could get some of the skills and knowledge needed for this career by taking a course in a relevant subject like:
- agriculture
- horticulture
- environmental science
- T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Crop Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
If you want to work as crop technician in horticulture, you could apply to do an apprenticeship like:
- Horticulture or Landscaping Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Horticulture or Landscaping Technical Manager Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Career path and progression
With experience and further training, you could:
- move into other science-based positions like crop research
- become a farm manager
- become a farm consultant
Career tips
Salary can vary depending on the hours worked and the time of year. You may also get other benefits including:
- free or subsidised accommodation
- travel pay
- profit shares
- vehicle use
- production bonuses
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleAgronomist
- Job roleFarm worker
- Job roleFarmer
- Job roleAgricultural contractor
- Job roleHorticultural worker
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