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Agricultural equipment operator: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$41,730median pay per year, or $20.06 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $33,500lowest 10% earn less
  2. $36,81025th percentile
  3. $41,730median
  4. $48,10075th percentile
  5. $58,650top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Agricultural equipment operators had a median pay of $41,730 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 8.6% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+8.6%[2]
Openings per year
10,100[5]
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential[6]

How much do agricultural equipment operators make?

The median wage for agricultural equipment operators was $41,730 a year, or $20.06 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $43,710 a year, or $21.02 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median was $50,980 a year[4]. So the median here is below the national median.

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $33,500 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $58,650[3]. The 25th percentile was $36,810 and the 75th was $48,100[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8].

Level Annual Hourly
10th percentile[3][9] $33,500 $16.11
25th percentile[3][9] $36,810 $17.70
Median[1] $41,730 $20.06
75th percentile[3][9] $48,100 $23.12
90th percentile[3][9] $58,650 $28.20

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not count benefits or some bonuses[10]. About 28,500 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 40 states with published data, Montana had the highest median at $58,770, followed by Louisiana at $58,520 and New York at $50,020[12]. Arkansas had the lowest listed median at $32,060[12].

California had the most jobs at 7,940, then Texas at 2,200 and Illinois at 1,910[13]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[14], Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI had the top median at $53,680, followed by Madison, WI at $49,410[14]. Fresno, CA had the most jobs among metros at 910[15].

Show median pay in 40 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Montana[12]$58,770130
Louisiana$58,520270
New York$50,020n/a
Delaware$49,91040
Massachusetts$49,15040
Minnesota$48,520900
North Dakota$48,080430
South Dakota$48,060240
Virginia$47,890120
Iowa$47,2201,530
Ohio$47,220600
Pennsylvania$47,100390
Wisconsin$47,100830
Nebraska$46,6701,090
Maine$46,49060
Missouri$46,490900
Indiana$46,280810
Illinois$46,0501,910
Kansas$45,570670
Oregon$44,150310
Michigan$42,380460
Kentucky$42,000190
New Jersey$41,66070
Maryland$39,580180
North Carolina$39,580550
Idaho$38,920490
California$38,8207,940
Washington$38,470550
Tennessee$37,750390
Colorado$37,290n/a
Florida$36,660790
Arizona$36,600730
Mississippi$36,460280
New Mexico$35,580130
Georgia$35,410570
Oklahoma$34,900170
South Carolina$34,490380
Texas$34,2602,200
Alabama$33,910370
Arkansas$32,060350

How to become an agricultural equipment operator

BLS lists no formal educational credential for entry and no related work experience[6]. The usual training is moderate-term and happens on the job[6]. In an O*NET survey of 25 workers, 57% said less than a high school diploma was required, and 19% said a high school diploma or equivalent[16].

The OOH profile covers a wider group called agricultural workers, so the details below describe that group[17].

Some equipment operators might need work experience on a farm or with heavy equipment[21]. The OOH names mechanical skills, listening skills and physical stamina as important qualities[22][23][24].

What agricultural equipment operators do

They drive and control equipment used for farm work such as tilling soil, planting and harvesting crops, and feeding livestock[25]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

In the wider group, workers are usually outside, whatever the weather[27]. Crop production was the largest employer of the wider group, at 53%[28]. About 7.6% of agricultural equipment operators were self-employed in 2025[29].

Agricultural work may be dangerous. Farm machinery such as tractors may cause serious injuries, which is why workers need to stay alert[30]. Most work full time, and some put in over 40 hours weekly[31]. Schedules may include early mornings, weekends and holidays[31]. Seasonal schedules are common, with longer periods of work during planting or harvesting[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 8.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][33]. That is an increase of about 5,700 jobs[2]. Those counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 10,100 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 6.4% of workers leave the labor force and 7.3% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

There is no formal education requirement, and training is on the job[6]. Median pay is below the all-occupations median, though the highest-paid 10% earned more than $58,650[1][4][3]. Growth is projected to be faster than average for all jobs[2][33]. The wider group works outdoors, often on seasonal schedules, and farm machinery may cause serious injuries[27][32][30].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an agricultural equipment operator make an hour?
The median was $20.06 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $21.02[1][7].
How long does it take to become an agricultural equipment operator?
BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. In the wider OOH group, many workers get up to 1 month of short training, and operators may need more[19].
What education do you need to be an agricultural equipment operator?
BLS lists no formal educational credential[6].
Is agricultural equipment operating in demand?
BLS projects 8.6% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 10,100 openings a year[2][33][5].
Which state pays agricultural equipment operators the most?
Montana had the highest median at $58,770, followed by Louisiana at $58,520[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators in the US was $41,730 per year and $20.06 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Agricultural Equipment Operators is projected to grow 8.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 66,900 to 72,600 jobs (a change of +5,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Agricultural Equipment Operators: 10th percentile $33,500, 25th percentile $36,810, 75th percentile $48,100, 90th percentile $58,650. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 10,100 openings for Agricultural Equipment Operators 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
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Agricultural Equipment Operators: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators was $43,710 per year and $21.02 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. 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
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Agricultural Equipment Operators: 10th percentile $16.11, 25th percentile $17.70, 75th percentile $23.12, 90th percentile $28.20. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. 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
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 28,500 people were employed as Agricultural Equipment Operators in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Agricultural Equipment Operators jobs: California 7,940; Texas 2,200; Illinois 1,910; Iowa 1,530; Nebraska 1,090. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators (areas with at least 100 jobs): Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $53,680; Madison, WI $49,410; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $49,220; Omaha, NE-IA $48,010; Napa, CA $47,880; Kansas City, MO-KS $47,610; St. Louis, MO-IL $47,280; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $47,080. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Agricultural Equipment Operators jobs: Fresno, CA 910 (median $36,650); Bakersfield-Delano, CA 700 (median $36,930); Salinas, CA 680 (median $38,740); Visalia, CA 650 (median $36,130); Napa, CA 590 (median $47,880); Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA 460 (median $41,910). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 45-2091.00 survey of workers (25 respondents), education level they say is required: Less than a High School Diploma 57%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 19%, Post-Secondary Certificate 14%, Some College Courses 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Agricultural Workers" covers Agricultural Equipment Operators together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Agricultural Equipment Operators. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Agricultural Equipment Operators. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of agricultural workers in 2025: Crop production 53%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Employment Projections: 7.6% of Agricultural Equipment Operators were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Agricultural Equipment Operators: 6.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 7.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

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.