Also called: Ag Aviator, Aerial Applicator
Flies low over farm fields spraying seeds, fertilizer, and pest control.
Ag pilots fly 10 feet above crops at 140 mph, pulling up just before trees and power lines, making dozens of passes a day in planting and spraying season.
Estimate; income is seasonal and often per acre.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 4 years after high school. FAA private and commercial pilot certificates (flight school, about 1-2 years and significant cost; military training is another route) plus ag flight training and hundreds of hours of experience.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Aviation, Agricultural Science.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Spray drones are already taking small fields and autonomous spray planes are in trials, so by 2036 fewer big-field jobs may need a pilot.
Classes: Physics, Pre-calculus, Earth Science (weather), Ag science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-2012.
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