Agricultural Technician salary in California
Agricultural Technicians in California earn a median of $60,320 a year ($29.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,230 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $49,630. California ranks 4th of 39 states for agricultural technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.13 agricultural technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,530, close to the median.
Pay range for agricultural technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,340 | $20.84 |
| 25th percentile | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| Median | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| 75th percentile | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,230 | $36.17 |
| Average (mean) | $58,530 | $28.14 |
Half of agricultural technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,026.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,513.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,320 |
| Weekly | $1,160 |
| Hourly | $29.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Agricultural Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $66,540 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $65,280 | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $63,630 | 500 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $62,900 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,680 | 460 |
| Napa, CA | $58,340 | 40 |
| Salinas, CA | $53,510 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $52,620 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $52,160 | 150 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $51,840 | 80 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,730 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $49,310 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for agricultural technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Iowa | $64,070 |
| Wyoming | $63,120 |
| Arizona | $62,990 |
| California | $60,320 |
| Kentucky | $59,860 |
| Minnesota | $57,310 |
| New Jersey | $54,370 |
| Missouri | $54,060 |
| Delaware | $52,510 |
| North Carolina | $51,470 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Food Science Technician | $54,200 | $26.06 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| Nuclear Technician | $99,270 | $47.72 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a agricultural technician make in California?
The median salary for agricultural technicians in California is $60,320 a year, or $29.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural technicians make in California?
The top 10% of agricultural technicians in California earn at least $75,230 a year. The top 25% earn $63,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,340 a year, and a quarter of agricultural technicians earn $46,710 or less.
How many agricultural technicians work in California?
About 2,420 agricultural technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.