Are You Ready To Drive Into The Future?

1996 graduates are already on the job, making good money

What does an applicator do? Basically, an applicator uses sophisticated equipment to apply plant food and crop protection products on fields that need them to improve production.

Throughout the Corn Belt, dealerships are looking for trained professional applicators with a knowledge of crop protection products and application equipment. It's a growing profession with a real shortage of qualified personnel.

How do you become a professional applicator? Well, you need a knowledge of crop protection products and training on the operation of sophisticated application equipment. Fortunately, there's a number of fine schools and colleges in the midwest offering custom applicator training. (listing) Talk to the instructors and they'll tell you the same thing: There's at least 5 job offers for every graduating student. Dealerships everywhere are crying out for young professionals to operate sophisticated equipment.

More Than A Rig Runner

There's more to the job than driving the rig, though. It's a highly specialized career involving high-tech equipment. A professional applicator needs more than a good driving record for the job. Custom applicators need to know what's being applied in the field and why. They also need to know about new technologies in agriculture like global positioning systems.

A professional must know how to safely handle crop protection products and apply them according to product labels. Avoiding drift and run-off are very important parts of the application process.

Salaries on the Rise Over the past 10 years, applicators' salaries have risen on average $1,000 per year. The increase in pay reflects the many developments in agriculture. A host of technological innovations are driving employers to hire employees with the education and training to handle these high-tech advances.

Nowadays, professional applicators are keyed in to sophisticated computerized delivery systems and innovations like variable rates technology, global positioning systems (GPS) and high-tech controls. All this is changing the nature of application and professional applicators are the people who are professionally trained to handle the new technologies.

In 1997, a professional applicator graduate starting their career can expect to earn anywhere from $20,000 to $28,000 per year depending on location and level of education and experience.

Sales And Marketing Opportunities

The demand for skilled applicators isn't likely to disappear anytime soon. Many professional applicators quickly move into agricultural sales or management positions. Dealerships, therefore, are always looking for new applicators to fill those vacancies. Application is a good career track.

One of the biggest advantages for students is that they can be trained and on the job within one to two years after graduating from high school. In fact, many schools offer paid intern programs as part of their curriculum.

Click here for a listing of Custom Applicator Programs in your Area