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Agricultural engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $68,060lowest 10% earn less
- $82,26025th percentile
- $98,590median
- $124,88075th percentile
- $166,460top 10% earn more
Agricultural engineers had a median pay of $98,590 a year in May 2025[1]. It is a small field, with jobs projected to grow 6.9% from 2025 to 2035[2].
How much do agricultural engineers make?
The median pay for an agricultural engineer was $98,590 a year, or $47.40 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was higher, at $108,230 a year or $52.04 an hour[7]. For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980 a year[4].
Pay varies a lot within the job. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $68,060 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $166,460[3]. BLS explains that a percentile is a boundary and that it publishes no starting salary[8].
| Level | Annual pay | Hourly pay |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3][9] | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| 25th percentile[3][9] | $82,260 | $39.55 |
| Median[1] | $98,590 | $47.40 |
| 75th percentile[3][9] | $124,880 | $60.04 |
| 90th percentile[3][9] | $166,460 | $80.03 |
These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses that are not tied to production or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].
Pay by state and city
BLS published state pay for 11 states[11]. Ohio had the highest median at $119,250, followed by Minnesota at $115,940 and Iowa at $96,290[11]. Arkansas had the lowest of the published medians, at $57,740[11]. Where job counts are published, they run from 30 to 150 per state, so each figure rests on a small group[11].
Indiana had the most agricultural engineer jobs, at 150[12]. Missouri and Oklahoma each had 120[12].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[13], the St. Louis area had the highest median at $124,340[13]. Oklahoma City was next at $86,970[13]. Oklahoma City had the most jobs of any metro area, at 110[14]. The St. Louis area was next at 100[14].
Show median pay in 11 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio[11] | $119,250 | 60 |
| Minnesota | $115,940 | 60 |
| Iowa | $96,290 | 100 |
| Texas | $95,220 | 50 |
| Indiana | $94,730 | 150 |
| Mississippi | $91,560 | 40 |
| Colorado | $88,650 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $86,970 | 120 |
| Michigan | $80,490 | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $80,300 | n/a |
| Arkansas | $57,740 | 40 |
How to become an agricultural engineer
The typical path starts with a bachelor's degree.
- Step one: earn a bachelor's degree in engineering. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training needed[6]. The degree is usually in engineering, and agricultural or biological engineering are given as examples[15].
- Step two: take math and science. High school students interested in the field are advised to take math and science. College coursework includes calculus, physics, biology and chemistry, and may include business, public policy and economics[16].
- Step three: get hands-on experience while in school. Students can gain practical experience through internships or team projects in engineering competitions[17].
- Step four: look at accreditation. Employers may prefer graduates of programs accredited by a professional association[18].
In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 75% said a bachelor's degree was the education level required for the job[19].
Licensing. A license is not required for entry-level jobs[20]. A Professional Engineering (PE) license can be earned later. It allows more leadership and independence, and a PE can sign off on projects and offer services directly to the public[20]. State licensure generally calls for a degree from an accredited engineering program, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, relevant work experience of typically at least 4 years, and a passing score on the PE exam[20][21][22][23][24]. The FE exam can be taken after a bachelor's degree[25]. Each state issues its own licenses, so check with your state's licensing board[26].
What agricultural engineers do
Agricultural engineers apply engineering and biological science to farming problems. These include machinery, electric power, buildings, soil and water conservation, and the processing of farm products[27]. Typical tasks include:
- Preparing reports, drawings, specifications, proposals and budgets for proposed sites or systems[28].
- Visiting sites to look at environmental problems, talk with contractors or check on construction[28].
- Meeting with clients such as farmers and developers to learn what they need[28].
- Testing farm machinery and equipment to make sure it performs well[28].
- Planning and overseeing construction of irrigation, drainage and flood control systems, and rural electric power lines[28].
- Designing structures for crop storage, animal shelter and processing, and supervising their construction[28].
- Advising on water quality and pollution management[28].
- Running educational programs that help farmers improve productivity[28].
BLS names analytical skills as important, because the work involves complex systems that include workers, crops, animals, machinery and the environment[29].
Where they work
Agricultural engineers typically work in offices. They may also spend time at indoor and outdoor worksites, including farms where they check that equipment meets specifications and regulations[30]. Some work in laboratories to test processing equipment, and some work onsite to supervise livestock facility upgrades or water resource projects[30]. They work with people from fields such as business, agronomy, animal sciences and public policy[31].
The work is typically full time. Schedules can shift with the weather on outdoor projects[32]. Engineers may also need to be available outside normal hours to handle unexpected problems in manufacturing operations or rural construction projects[33].
The largest employer group in 2025 was professional, scientific, and technical services, at 27% of agricultural engineers[34].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of agricultural engineers to grow 6.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 1,500 to 1,600 jobs, a change of about 100[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[35]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. The OEWS count of about 1,480 jobs covers wage and salary workers only, so the two numbers measure different things[36][2].
BLS expects about 100 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[5]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, an average of 1.4% of workers leave the labor force and 2.7% move to a different occupation[37]. This is a small occupation, so the number of openings is small too.
Is it a good fit?
The facts point to a job with pay well above the all-occupations median, at $98,590 compared with $50,980[1][4]. Entry typically takes a bachelor's degree and no required experience or on-the-job training[6]. Projected growth of 6.9% is above the 3.5% rate for all occupations, but the field is small, with about 100 openings a year[2][35][5]. The work mixes office time with site visits, and schedules can vary with weather[30][32]. The job may suit people who like applying science and engineering to farming and land and water problems[27].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an agricultural engineer make a year?
- The median was $98,590 a year in May 2025, and the average was $108,230[1][7]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $68,060, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $166,460[3].
- How much does an agricultural engineer make an hour?
- The median was $47.40 an hour in May 2025[1]. The hourly 10th percentile was $32.72 and the 90th percentile was $80.03[9].
- What degree do you need to be an agricultural engineer?
- BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. It is usually in engineering, and agricultural or biological engineering are given as examples[15].
- Is agricultural engineering in demand?
- BLS projects 6.9% job growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][35]. About 100 openings are projected each year[5].
- What is the highest paying state for agricultural engineers?
- Among the 11 states with published data, Ohio had the highest median at $119,250, followed by Minnesota at $115,940[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Agricultural Engineers in the US was $98,590 per year and $47.40 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Agricultural Engineers is projected to grow 6.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 1,500 to 1,600 jobs (a change of +100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Agricultural Engineers: 10th percentile $68,060, 25th percentile $82,260, 75th percentile $124,880, 90th percentile $166,460. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 100 openings for Agricultural Engineers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Agricultural Engineers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Agricultural Engineers was $108,230 per year and $52.04 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Agricultural Engineers: 10th percentile $32.72, 25th percentile $39.55, 75th percentile $60.04, 90th percentile $80.03. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Agricultural Engineers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Agricultural Engineers jobs: Indiana 150; Missouri 120; Oklahoma 120; Iowa 100; Minnesota 60. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Agricultural Engineers (areas with at least 100 jobs): St. Louis, MO-IL $124,340; Oklahoma City, OK $86,970. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Agricultural Engineers jobs: Oklahoma City, OK 110 (median $86,970); St. Louis, MO-IL 100 (median $124,340); Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN 50 (median $86,320); San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR 30 (median $40,690). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 17-2021.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 75%, Master's Degree 10%, Doctoral Degree 10%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Agricultural Engineers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Agricultural Engineers. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of agricultural engineers in 2025: Professional, scientific, and technical services 27%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 1,480 people were employed as Agricultural Engineers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Agricultural Engineers: 1.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.