Agricultural engineers
SOC Code: 17-2021Also known as:
Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Equipment Design Engineer, Agricultural Equipment Test Engineer, Agricultural Production Engineer, Agricultural Research Engineer
Median Annual Salary
$84,630
+5.9% growth (2024-2034)
100
Openings/Year
2K
Current Jobs
What Agricultural engineers Do
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
💰 Salary
$84,630
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+5.9%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
100
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
1,700
Projected Employment (2034)
1,800
Related Careers
Environmental engineers
$104,170 •
+3.9% growth
Soil and plant scientists
$71,410 •
+5.4% growth
Conservation scientists
$67,950 •
+3.4% growth
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
$80,060 •
+4.4% growth
Agricultural technicians
$46,790 •
+4.3% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
- Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
- Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
- Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
- Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
- Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
- Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
- Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
- Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
- Design sensing, measuring, and recording devices, and other instrumentation used to study plant or animal life.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Agricultural engineers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a agricultural engineers:
Agricultural Engineering
1,090 degrees awarded •
37 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Agricultural engineers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become agricultural engineers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do agricultural engineers make?
The median annual salary for agricultural engineers is $84,630.
What education do agricultural engineers need?
Most agricultural engineers positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Agricultural Engineering.
Is becoming agricultural engineers a good career choice?
Agricultural engineers is projected to see +5.9% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 100 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for agricultural engineers?
Top colleges for aspiring agricultural engineers include
University of Florida, Cornell University, University of Georgia, Purdue University-Main Campus, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to agricultural engineers?
Agricultural engineers may also be known as: Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Equipment Design Engineer, Agricultural Equipment Test Engineer, Agricultural Production Engineer, Agricultural Research Engineer, Agricultural Systems Specialist, Agriculture Consultant, Agriculture Engineer, Agriculture Scientist, Conservation Engineer, Engineer, Farm Equipment Engineer, Field Engineer, Field Research Associate, Landscape Irrigation Specialist, Permaculture Designer, Product Engineer, Product Technology Scientist, Project Engineer, Regional Engineer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.