Hydroponics is a horticultural process in which plants grow in liquid mineral nutrient solutions rather than soil. Hydroponic jobs often involve sustainable agricultural practices, such as using less water and space to grow healthy plants. If you’re interested in working in hydroponics, learning about common jobs in the industry can help you find a position that’s right for you. In this article, we list seven careers in hydroponics and provide tips for finding work as a hydroponic professional.
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7 careers in hydroponics
Here are seven careers in hydroponics you can consider. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below:
1. Journalist
National average salary: $47,647 per year
Primary duties: A journalist is a news professional who researches and reports on events relevant to the public. Journalists often specialize in fields in which they have advanced knowledge. For example, journalists interested in hydroponics may pursue a career as an agricultural reporter. These professionals may have the opportunity to work in different fields, including print, online, radio and television media.
2. Professor
National average salary: $53,332 per year
Primary duties: A professor is an educator who works at an institution of higher education such as a college, university or technical school. Professors develop coursework, assignments and examinations to help students learn new skills and information and to test their academic development and knowledge. They commonly possess expertise in the fields they teach the students, such as agriculture, horticulture or biology. This allows them to share their in-depth knowledge of the field and help students progress toward a career in their area of expertise.
3. Grower
National average salary: $58,338 per year
Primary duties: A hydroponic grower produces crops using a hydroponic nutritional system. These professionals are responsible for caring for plants throughout their development, including providing plants with the nutrient solutions they require to grow, protecting plants from pests, ensuring their environment allows for successful growth and providing basic maintenance to the plants. A hydroponic grower may also be responsible for deciding when a plant is ready for harvesting. Additionally, they may suggest treatment plans for plants to adjust to unforeseen circumstances.
4. Equipment manager
National average salary: $60,336 per year
Primary duties: An equipment manager is a professional who oversees the maintenance and use of equipment, such as equipment necessary for hydroponic growing. They’re responsible for ensuring that a company has all the equipment it requires for daily operations and that equipment remains in a functional state. They may perform inspections on equipment to ensure it’s operating as intended and decide when a company requires new equipment, choosing which equipment to purchase and negotiating prices.
5. Sales representative
National average salary: $64,346 per year
Primary duties: A sales representative pitches a company’s products or services to potential customers. In this industry, a sales representative might sell products like hydroponic equipment, seeds or other tools that support healthy plant growth. These professionals may meet with customers at the customer’s place of business or contact them over the phone or via email. They’re responsible for knowing about the products they sell, which helps them answer questions potential customers may have. They also typically provide a compelling pitch for why the product or service would be beneficial to the potential customer.
6. Project manager
National average salary: $73,796 per year
Primary duties: A project manager is a mid-level or senior-level professional at a company responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of projects. They commonly work with a team of employees, delegating tasks to members of the team as needed to ensure they complete the project on time and to the expected quality levels.
For example, a project manager may develop a recording method for a hydroponic experiment, helping team members track their work more effectively. A project manager may also meet with senior- or executive-level staff members at the company to discuss goals and ensure that the projects they oversee work toward the larger goals of the company.
7. Agricultural equipment technician
National average salary: $77,704 per year
Primary duties: An agricultural equipment technician is a trade professional who specializes in the maintenance and repair of the equipment people use on a hydroponic farm. Their responsibilities may include performing routine checkups on equipment, troubleshooting problems when equipment isn’t functioning as intended and repairing damaged equipment. An equipment technician often specializes in servicing equipment related to a single industry or equipment of a specific type, providing the expert care necessary to keep complicated machinery working properly.
Tips for a career in hydroponics
If you’re interested in a career in hydroponics, consider these tips:
Earn a bachelor’s degree
If you’re interested in working in the agricultural field, such as on a hydroponic farm, having a degree in a relevant field can benefit you during your job search. Consider choosing a major such as horticulture, which can provide you with advanced knowledge related to your chosen career path. You may also take classes that offer specialized training in relevant techniques of hydroponic crop growth to provide you with the education necessary for career success. Additionally, earning a bachelor’s degree in your field can improve your resume, which may distinguish you from other candidates when you’re applying for positions.
Earn experience
Earning relevant experience can benefit you if you’re seeking work in hydroponics. If you attend a college, university or technical school, consider seeking an internship opportunity with a hydroponic farm. This allows you to gain practical experience in the industry, which you can apply to your career. It may also may help you identify a farm you wish to work for after you graduate. Additionally, previous experience may make you a more appealing candidate to hiring managers and help you succeed in a new position.
Continue learning
While hydroponic gardening is a traditional practice that farmers have used for hundreds of years, modern farming incorporates many newly developed technologies and techniques. By continuing your education in agriculture, hydroponics and other farming practices, you can ensure your knowledge of the field includes the latest developments. This can help you be more productive as a hydroponic farmer and make you a more appealing candidate for positions in the field.
Engage with professional associations
Networking can be a valuable method of finding work in the hydroponic field, and joining a professional association can be an effective way to build your professional network. Groups such as the U.S. Hydroponic Association and the Hydroponic Society of America are professional associations that hydroponic farmers can join. Engaging in events that these associations host can help you make connections with other hydroponic professionals, which can be beneficial both when you’re seeking job opportunities and performing your work in the field.
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