Agricultural Engineers: Career Profile
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
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What Tasks Do Agricultural Engineers Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of agricultural engineers span:
- Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
- Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
- Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
- Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
- Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
- Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
- Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
- Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
What Agricultural Engineers Need to Know
Effective agricultural engineers draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Agricultural Engineers Jobs
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Agricultural Engineer
- Agricultural Equipment Design Engineer
- Agricultural Equipment Test Engineer
- Agricultural Production Engineer
- Agricultural Research Engineer
- Agricultural Systems Specialist
- Agriculture Consultant
- Agriculture Engineer
How Many Agricultural Engineers Are There?
The U.S. employs around 89,445 agricultural engineers working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +13.7% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Agricultural Engineers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $77,743 |
| Hourly median | $37.38 |
| 10th percentile | $44,172 |
| 25th percentile | $60,957 |
| 75th percentile | $94,528 |
| 90th percentile | $111,314 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Ohio | $111,200 |
| Texas | $104,980 |
| Florida | $98,180 |
| Wisconsin | $94,310 |
| Michigan | $91,470 |
| Indiana | $84,640 |
| Oklahoma | $84,630 |
| Nebraska | $75,760 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,930 |
| Arkansas | $59,990 |
| Puerto Rico | $44,810 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Earnings for agricultural engineers vary by region. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes | $93,006 | 51.9% | 3.02 |
| Southwest | $89,717 | 20.8% | 4.79 |
| Plains States | $75,760 | 5.2% | 3.79 |
| Southeast | $72,720 | 15.6% | 3.88 |
| Other U.S. Territories | $44,810 | 6.5% | 5.21 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | IN | $85,410 | 50 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | OK | $84,630 | 110 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | PR | $44,800 | 40 |
Industry Breakdown
The largest employers of agricultural engineers are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 770 | n/a |
| Educational Services | 200 | $84,630 |
| Manufacturing | 130 | $99,350 |
| Wholesale Trade | 70 | $75,820 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Software Agricultural Engineers Use
- Desktop publishing software: Adobe InDesign (hot technology)
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Project management software: Microsoft Project (hot technology)
- Document management software: Microsoft SharePoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
Daily working conditions for agricultural engineers reflects the following characteristics:
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How to Become Agricultural Engineers
Most agricultural engineers positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Geothermal Production Managers (Supplemental)
- Biofuels Production Managers (Primary-Long)
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers (Primary-Long)
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers (Primary-Long)
- Water Resource Specialists (Supplemental)
- Civil Engineers (Supplemental)
- Water/Wastewater Engineers (Primary-Long)
- Environmental Engineers (Primary-Short)
Degree Programs
Students preparing for agricultural engineers commonly pursue programs in:
Engineering
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 17-2021.00 (Agricultural Engineers).
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