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Farm equipment mechanic: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$56,550median pay per year, or $27.19 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $37,470lowest 10% earn less
  2. $46,45025th percentile
  3. $56,550median
  4. $65,58075th percentile
  5. $78,740top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Farm equipment mechanics, which BLS calls farm equipment mechanics and service technicians, had a median pay of $56,550 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to grow 10.7% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+10.7%[2]
Openings per year
3,700[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do farm equipment mechanics make?

The median wage was $56,550 a year, or $27.19 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $57,290 a year, or $27.54 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[4].

Here is how pay spreads across the range:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][8] $37,470 $18.01
25th[3][8] $46,450 $22.33
75th[3][8] $65,580 $31.53
90th[3][8] $78,740 $37.86

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37,470, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $78,740[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[10]. About 37,870 people held these wage and salary jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 47 states with published data[12], Nevada was listed first with a median of $65,250[12]. North Dakota followed at $63,030, then New Jersey at $62,300[12]. West Virginia ($46,240) and South Carolina ($46,640) were at the bottom of the list[12].

The states with the most jobs were California (4,730), Iowa (2,210), Texas (2,200), Kansas (2,130) and Illinois (1,770)[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $75,900[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA followed at $74,210, then Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA at $68,690[14]. Fresno, CA had the most jobs at 530, followed by Visalia, CA at 440[15].

Show median pay in 47 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Nevada[12]$65,25070
North Dakota$63,030770
New Jersey$62,300260
South Dakota$62,140820
Delaware$61,85070
Montana$61,710400
Washington$61,3701,120
Wyoming$60,88090
Oregon$60,830660
Indiana$60,4601,200
Maryland$60,360n/a
Iowa$59,8602,210
Idaho$59,600680
Illinois$59,4301,770
Maine$58,880130
Wisconsin$58,8701,560
Oklahoma$58,860380
Vermont$58,750130
Connecticut$58,69070
Minnesota$58,0401,620
Texas$57,1502,200
New York$56,550650
Utah$56,070190
Colorado$55,400270
California$53,7904,730
Arizona$53,630700
Ohio$53,4001,300
Missouri$51,330960
Pennsylvania$51,310990
Michigan$50,870980
North Carolina$50,750300
New Hampshire$50,36070
Kansas$50,2902,130
Georgia$50,170570
Alabama$50,000680
Hawaii$49,99040
New Mexico$49,920120
Nebraska$49,8101,770
Arkansas$49,030790
Mississippi$49,030520
Kentucky$48,970800
Florida$48,360800
Louisiana$48,330320
Tennessee$47,8301,030
Virginia$47,700460
South Carolina$46,640260
West Virginia$46,24060

How to become a farm equipment mechanic

BLS lists the typical path into this occupation like this[6]:

In an O*NET survey of 25 workers, 52% said a post-secondary certificate was required and 43% said a high school diploma or equivalent[16]. This is a small survey, so read it as a rough guide.

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile on this topic covers a wider group of occupations, so the details below describe that group, not only farm equipment mechanics[17]. It says high school courses in automotive repair, electronics, physics and welding give a base, but graduates often need more training[18]. Some employers prefer technicians who finished a formal postsecondary program[19]. Programs in diesel technology or heavy equipment mechanics may last 1 to 2 years for a certificate, and about 2 years for an associate's degree[20].

Trainees with no formal background often get a few months of on-the-job training before routine work. Most reach full qualification once they have worked for 3 to 4 years[21]. Those with a postsecondary program typically need less on-the-job training[22]. Many employers also send new technicians to training run by equipment makers[23]. Manufacturer certification is not required, but it can show skill and usually brings higher pay[24].

What farm equipment mechanics do

Farm equipment mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair and overhaul farm machines such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment and irrigation systems[25]. O*NET lists these tasks[26]:

The handbook also lists qualities that matter in the wider group, including mechanical skills, troubleshooting, dexterity and the physical strength to lift heavy parts and tools[27][28][29][30].

Where they work

Many technicians in the wider group work indoors in repair shops. Some travel to worksites, because moving large machines to a shop is often too costly[31]. Field service workers drive trucks equipped with parts and tools, and they spend a lot of time outdoors[31]. In the wider group, the largest employer group in 2025 was farm and garden machinery and equipment merchant wholesalers, at 11% of jobs[32]. In 2025, 1.8% of farm equipment mechanics were self-employed[33].

The work is physical. Technicians often lift heavy parts and tools, handle greasy and dirty equipment, and work in awkward positions[34]. BLS says farm equipment mechanics have injury and illness rates among the highest of all occupations. Common injuries include small cuts, sprains and bruises[35].

Hours follow the seasons. In busy planting and harvest times, mechanics often work six or seven 12-hour days a week, and in winter they may work less than full time[36].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 10.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 41,900 jobs to 46,400[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[37]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the 37,870 wage and salary jobs counted in the wage survey[11][2].

BLS expects about 3,700 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.9% of workers leave the labor force and 4.5% move to a different occupation[38].

Is it a good fit?

Median pay is above the all-occupations median, and the projected growth is faster than the all-occupations rate[1][4][2][37]. The usual entry education is a high school diploma, but the main training is long-term and on the job[6]. The work is physical, the injury rate is high, and hours can be long in busy seasons[35][36]. It may suit people who like hands-on repair work and can handle seasonal peaks.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[39].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a farm equipment mechanic make a year?
The median pay was $56,550 a year in May 2025, and the average was $57,290[1][7].
How much does a farm equipment mechanic make an hour?
The median was $27.19 an hour and the average was $27.54 an hour[1][7].
What education do you need to be a farm equipment mechanic?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, plus long-term on-the-job training[6].
Are farm equipment mechanics in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 10.7% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][37]. About 3,700 openings a year are expected[5].
What is the highest paying state for farm equipment mechanics?
Nevada is listed first with a median of $65,250, followed by North Dakota at $63,030 and New Jersey at $62,300[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians in the US was $56,550 per year and $27.19 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians is projected to grow 10.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 41,900 to 46,400 jobs (a change of +4,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians: 10th percentile $37,470, 25th percentile $46,450, 75th percentile $65,580, 90th percentile $78,740. 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 3,700 openings for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians 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 Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians was $57,290 per year and $27.54 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians: 10th percentile $18.01, 25th percentile $22.33, 75th percentile $31.53, 90th percentile $37.86. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. 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
  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 37,870 people were employed as Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians 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 Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians jobs: California 4,730; Iowa 2,210; Texas 2,200; Kansas 2,130; Illinois 1,770. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $75,900; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $74,210; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $68,690; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $64,320; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $63,900; Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $63,760; Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $63,750; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $63,180. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians jobs: Fresno, CA 530 (median $48,760); Visalia, CA 440 (median $47,320); Salinas, CA 410 (median $47,400); Bakersfield-Delano, CA 400 (median $47,210); Kansas City, MO-KS 400 (median $50,290); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 360 (median $63,900). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 49-3041.00 survey of workers (25 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Secondary Certificate 52%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 43% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians" covers Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians in 2025: Farm and garden machinery and equipment merchant wholesalers 11%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: 1.8% of Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians: 2.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  39. 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.