CFChooseField
Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agricultural Equipment Operators

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Agricultural Equipment Operators
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Median pay

$42,580
Median annual pay for Agricultural Equipment Operators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

7.7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

10,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

65,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Agricultural Equipment Operators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+5,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1English Language
  2. 2Mechanical
  3. 3Public Safety and Security
  4. 4Mathematics
  5. 5Transportation
  6. 6Production and Processing

Abilities

  1. 1Control Precision
  2. 2Multilimb Coordination
  3. 3Near Vision
  4. 4Depth Perception
  5. 5Far Vision
  6. 6Problem Sensitivity

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Social

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  4. 4Controlling Machines and Processes
  5. 5Handling and Moving Objects
  6. 6Processing Information

Work context

  1. 1Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
  4. 4Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
  5. 5Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  6. 6Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyFarm Management Software Hay and Crop ManagerMartens Farms Farm Site MateMartens Farms Farm Trac

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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