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.
Agricultural Engineers
SOC: 17-2021 O*NET: 17-2021.00
Median Salary
$84,630
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.9%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Agricultural Engineers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$43,020
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,930
25th percentile
Median
$84,630
50th percentile
Experienced
$103,940
75th percentile
Top Earners
$132,700
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$43,020
25th
$49,930
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$84,630
Mean: $84,240
75th
$103,940
90th
$132,700
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $89,680 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $49,930 and $103,940
- •Salary spread is 63.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,680 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,700
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services45.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services45.8%
Scientific Research and Development Services13.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.9%
Annual Openings:100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,700
Current
2034 (Projected)1,800
+5.9%
+100
Employment Change
+5.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Agricultural Engineers professionals work across the United States
Showing 10 of 10 locations
Michigan
200 jobs$91,4704.10x
Oklahoma
120 jobs$84,6306.30x
Indiana
100 jobs$84,6402.78x
Arkansas
80 jobs$59,9905.63x
Ohio
60 jobs$111,2001.01x
Texas
40 jobs$104,9800.28x
Florida
40 jobs$98,1800.38x
Wisconsin
40 jobs$94,3101.27x
Nebraska
40 jobs$75,7603.79x
Pennsylvania
0 jobs$73,9300.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Writing
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#6
Systems Evaluation
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Mathematics
46%
#10
Systems Analysis
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Writing
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Systems Evaluation
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Writing
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Systems Evaluation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Mathematics
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Systems Analysis
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Actuaries100%
5 shared skills
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers82%
5 shared skills
Web Administrators82%
5 shared skills
Water/Wastewater Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Water Resource Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Health Informatics Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Systems Evaluation
- →Critical Thinking
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Agricultural Engineers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
SAS
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechOracle Java
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
SAS
Autodesk AutoCAD
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Adobe InDesign
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Adobe Photoshop
Oracle Java
Microsoft Office software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (2)Planning & Development (9)Operations & Execution (1)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Design agricultural machinery components and equipment, using computer-aided design (CAD) technology.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Supervise food processing or manufacturing plant operations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects in agriculture and related industries.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Agricultural Engineers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Agricultural Engineers professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value working conditions
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Agricultural Engineers
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.65
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.55
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.45
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.25
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.20
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.20
Complete Work Styles Profile
Analytical Thinking
4.7
Integrity
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Initiative
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Dependability
4.2
Innovation
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Persistence
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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