Also called: Aerial Applicator
Flies small, tough airplanes a few feet above fields to spray crops.
You take off at dawn, fly fast and low over a field, pull up just before the trees at the end, and turn around for the next pass. You might fly 50 loads in a busy day.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. Commercial pilot certificate plus ag pilot training.
Ways in: Certification, Trade school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Agricultural Aviation.
Growing slowly. Steady rural demand; drones are a growing competitor.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Spray drones are taking over smaller fields fast; big-acreage aerial application still needs licensed pilots for now.
Classes: Agriculture CTE, Physics, Chemistry, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-2012.
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