Agricultural equipment operators
SOC Code: 45-2091Also known as:
Agricultural Equipment Operator (Ag Equipment Operator), Agricultural Equipment Operators, Agricultural Farm Equipment Operator, Agricultural Plow Operator, Agriculture Equipment Operator
Median Annual Salary
$42,580
+7.7% growth (2024-2034)
11K
Openings/Year
65K
Current Jobs
What Agricultural equipment operators Do
Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding and herding livestock; or removing animal waste. May perform tasks such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.
💰 Salary
$42,580
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+7.7%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
No formal educational credential
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
11K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
65,200
Projected Employment (2034)
70,300
Related Careers
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
$35,690 •
-3.3% growth
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
$48,310 •
-14.4% growth
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders
$45,130 •
+2.0% growth
Machine feeders and offbearers
$39,700 •
-13.0% growth
Top Skills Required
Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Troubleshooting
Active Listening
Equipment Maintenance
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers.
- Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.
- Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers.
- Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.
- Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery.
- Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment.
- Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions.
- Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
No formal educational credential
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Less than High School
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Agricultural equipment operators
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a agricultural equipment operators:
Agricultural Power Machinery Operation
94 degrees awarded •
10 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Agricultural equipment operators
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become agricultural equipment operators.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | 5 | C+ |
| 2 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | 3 | C+ |
| 3 | Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, IA | 25 | C |
| 4 | Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 16 | C |
| 5 | Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 15 | C |
| 6 | Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 13 | C |
| 7 | Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville, IA | 8 | C |
| 8 | Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute | Wooster, OH | 7 | C |
| 9 | Seward County Community College | Liberal, KS | 1 | C |
| 10 | South Central College | North Mankato, MN | 1 | C |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do agricultural equipment operators make?
The median annual salary for agricultural equipment operators is $42,580.
What education do agricultural equipment operators need?
Most agricultural equipment operators positions require a no formal educational credential.
Common degree programs include Agricultural Power Machinery Operation.
Is becoming agricultural equipment operators a good career choice?
Agricultural equipment operators is projected to see +7.7% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 10,500 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for agricultural equipment operators?
Top colleges for aspiring agricultural equipment operators include
Lincoln Land Community College, Lake Land College, Northeast Iowa Community College, Kishwaukee College, Parkland College.
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 equipment operators?
Agricultural equipment operators may also be known as: Agricultural Equipment Operator (Ag Equipment Operator), Agricultural Equipment Operators, Agricultural Farm Equipment Operator, Agricultural Plow Operator, Agriculture Equipment Operator, Baler, Baler Operator, Bean Picker Machine Operator, Berry Picker Machine Operator, Broomcorn Thresher, Cane Cutter Machine Operator, Cane Flume Chute Operator, Cane Flume Feeding Machine Operator, Cane Piler, Chopper Operator, Combine Driver, Combine Operator, Corn Cutter, Corn Detasseler Machine Operator, Corn Husker Machine Operator.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.