CFChooseField
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
Download graphic

Median pay

$52,080
Median annual pay for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

11%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

3,700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

39,000
Estimated U.S. employment for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+4,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

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

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mechanical
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Computers and Electronics
  5. 5Engineering and Technology
  6. 6Physics

Abilities

  1. 1Control Precision
  2. 2Finger Dexterity
  3. 3Manual Dexterity
  4. 4Multilimb Coordination
  5. 5Near Vision
  6. 6Problem Sensitivity

Career interests

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

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
  5. 5Handling and Moving Objects
  6. 6Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  3. 3Exposed to Contaminants
  4. 4Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  5. 5Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  6. 6Freedom to Make Decisions

Representative tasks

  • Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.
  • Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
  • Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
  • Record details of repairs made and parts used.
  • Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
  • Clean and lubricate parts.
  • Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.
  • Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyComputerized maintenance management system CMMSFarmLogic FarmPADServiceMaxWeb browser software

Sources

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

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.