Agriculture Jobs in Illinois
Agriculture jobs in Illinois are concentrated in the Central Illinois farming belt, the Quad Cities region, and the greater Chicago metro, where agribusiness, food processing, and agricultural research drive steady hiring from entry-level field positions to senior agronomists and farm managers. Major employers with a lasting presence in Illinois include ADM, John Deere, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, each maintaining large agricultural operations and research programs. The most in-demand specialties are crop production, precision agriculture technology, and agronomy consulting. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Agriculture JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 29+ Agriculture jobs
Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC is an innovator and service provider for agricultural and professional markets in the United States and around the world. We are one of America's only retailers and distributors with expertise in formulation, research and development, precision technology, data solutions, professional application and manufacturing. For nearly 70 years our people have been driven to provide sustainable solutions that help feed, clothe and fuel the world. With over 450+ locations nationwide and over 6,000 employees we rank among the top agricultural service companies in volume and sales of agricultural products and services.
Our Applicators are responsible for applying herbicides and pesticides to labeled crops as directed by their leader. This position also operates and performs maintenance to all applicator equipment.
WHAT YOUR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE
- Correctly mixes pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals for application.
- Maintains accurate logs and reports on applicated acres.
- Performs maintenance and calibration on application equipment.
- Performs maintenance on other equipment.
- Wears proper safety protection gear.
- Participates in continuing education in order to maintain pesticide applicator license.
- Attends applicator equipment workshops.
- Drives a company vehicle.
- Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
- Other work-related duties as assigned by leader.
- Regular and reliable attendance is required.
- Follows all company policies and procedures.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- High school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Experience in operating large equipment is required.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Mechanically inclined.
- Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) is preferred.
- Agricultural background.
- Basic knowledge of ag pesticides.
- Ability to read field maps and use tractor-mounted field computers.
- Professional competence to safety.
- Ability to pass a CDL physical examination.
- Ability to work without direct supervision.
- Ability to work nights, overtime and some weekend hours during busy season is required.
- Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.
- Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.
- Valid U.S. driver's license is required and must meet all company requirements to drive a Helena vehicle.
- Applicants for positions requiring operation of a moving vehicle or interaction with heavy equipment must meet the legal age requirement.
Successful completion of a drug test and background check is required for all positions at Helena.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB
At Helena, safety is our highest priority. We seek out extensive safety measures and put them in place to minimize exposure to anything that could be potentially harmful to our employees.
The work environment for this position will be in an outdoor setting in all types of weather conditions with exposure to outdoor elements. When working outdoors and possibly around moving equipment/mechanical parts, you may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, chemical and biological hazards, vibrations and a risk of electrical shock.
This position requires you to use your hands for many different tasks and to talk, hear, walk, sit, stand (8 hours a day or more), lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling (up to and including 50lbs or more), reaching overhead (up to and including 25lbs), climbing, gripping, grasping and twisting using hands and wrists, bending and stooping for long periods of time, working below knee levels for short periods of time and working above shoulder level for short periods.
- Health, Dental & Vision Insurance STARTS THE SAME DAY YOU DO!
- Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
- Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.
- Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
- Three-year vesting on company-match with 1,000 hours of service.
- Employees are eligible for paid time-off and holiday pay.
- This position is eligible for overtime pay.
- Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay - paid for by Helena at no cost to you.
- Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
- Up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave.
- Education Assistance.
- And much more!
Helena supports individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Helena is an equal opportunity employer.
Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC is an innovator and service provider for agricultural and professional markets in the United States and around the world. We are one of America's only retailers and distributors with expertise in formulation, research and development, precision technology, data solutions, professional application and manufacturing. For nearly 70 years our people have been driven to provide sustainable solutions that help feed, clothe and fuel the world. With over 450+ locations nationwide and over 6,000 employees we rank among the top agricultural service companies in volume and sales of agricultural products and services.
Our Applicators are responsible for applying herbicides and pesticides to labeled crops as directed by their leader. This position also operates and performs maintenance to all applicator equipment.
WHAT YOUR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE
- Correctly mixes pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals for application.
- Maintains accurate logs and reports on applicated acres.
- Performs maintenance and calibration on application equipment.
- Performs maintenance on other equipment.
- Wears proper safety protection gear.
- Participates in continuing education in order to maintain pesticide applicator license.
- Attends applicator equipment workshops.
- Drives a company vehicle.
- Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
- Other work-related duties as assigned by leader.
- Regular and reliable attendance is required.
- Follows all company policies and procedures.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- High school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Experience in operating large equipment is required.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Mechanically inclined.
- Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) is preferred.
- Agricultural background.
- Basic knowledge of ag pesticides.
- Ability to read field maps and use tractor-mounted field computers.
- Professional competence to safety.
- Ability to pass a CDL physical examination.
- Ability to work without direct supervision.
- Ability to work nights, overtime and some weekend hours during busy season is required.
- Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.
- Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.
- Valid U.S. driver's license is required and must meet all company requirements to drive a Helena vehicle.
- Applicants for positions requiring operation of a moving vehicle or interaction with heavy equipment must meet the legal age requirement.
Successful completion of a drug test and background check is required for all positions at Helena.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB
At Helena, safety is our highest priority. We seek out extensive safety measures and put them in place to minimize exposure to anything that could be potentially harmful to our employees.
The work environment for this position will be in an outdoor setting in all types of weather conditions with exposure to outdoor elements. When working outdoors and possibly around moving equipment/mechanical parts, you may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, chemical and biological hazards, vibrations and a risk of electrical shock.
This position requires you to use your hands for many different tasks and to talk, hear, walk, sit, stand (8 hours a day or more), lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling (up to and including 50lbs or more), reaching overhead (up to and including 25lbs), climbing, gripping, grasping and twisting using hands and wrists, bending and stooping for long periods of time, working below knee levels for short periods of time and working above shoulder level for short periods.
- Health, Dental & Vision Insurance STARTS THE SAME DAY YOU DO!
- Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
- Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.
- Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
- Three-year vesting on company-match with 1,000 hours of service.
- Employees are eligible for paid time-off and holiday pay.
- This position is eligible for overtime pay.
- Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay - paid for by Helena at no cost to you.
- Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
- Up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave.
- Education Assistance.
- And much more!
Helena supports individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Helena is an equal opportunity employer.
See All 29 Agriculture Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Agriculture JobsAgriculture Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Agriculture Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Agriculture & Farming
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in agriculture jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Certified Crop Adviser credential or equivalent state-recognized agronomist certification
- Bachelor's degree in agronomy, agriculture science, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience operating farm machinery, tractors, and precision agriculture equipment
- Working knowledge of Illinois crop production practices, soil types, and seasonal cycles
- Familiarity with Illinois Department of Agriculture regulations and pesticide applicator licensing requirements
- Valid driver's license with ability to travel between farm sites across rural Illinois counties
Agriculture Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a agriculture in Illinois?
Most agriculture roles in Illinois require at minimum a high school diploma plus hands-on farm experience, though professional positions typically call for a bachelor's degree in agronomy, crop science, or agricultural business from a program like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Crop consultants and agronomists pursuing client-facing roles often obtain the Illinois Certified Crop Adviser credential through the American Society of Agronomy. Pesticide applicators must register with the Illinois Department of Agriculture before legally applying commercial pesticides.
Which companies hire agricultures in Illinois?
Illinois agriculture roles are posted by Helena Agri-Enterprises, C3 AI, and Gateway FS and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's deep agribusiness infrastructure, anchored by grain trading, food processing, and agricultural equipment manufacturing, means hiring extends well beyond individual farms to include cooperatives, research institutions, and input suppliers.
Which Illinois cities have the most agriculture jobs?
Illinois, Chicago, and New Berlin lead Illinois for agriculture openings. Central Illinois cities like Bloomington-Normal and Decatur sit at the heart of corn and soybean country, attracting agronomist, field rep, and processing roles, while the Quad Cities area draws agricultural equipment and logistics positions tied to major manufacturing operations headquartered there.
How can I get hired as a agriculture in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a seasonal field or production technician role with a grain cooperative or seed company operating in Central Illinois, where employers routinely hire candidates who are still completing their degree. Organizations like Growmark and Illinois Farm Bureau member cooperatives run structured internship and new-grad programs. Obtaining a commercial pesticide applicator trainee registration through the Illinois Department of Agriculture while still in school signals commitment and gives candidates a concrete hiring edge.
Where can I find and apply to agriculture jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to agriculture jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialty, whether that is crop production, agronomy, equipment operations, or agricultural research, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 29 Agriculture Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Agriculture Jobs