Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding and herding livestock; or removing animal waste. May perform tasks such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.
Agricultural Equipment Operators
SOC: 45-2091 O*NET: 45-2091.00
Median Salary
$42,580
per year
Job Growth
🚀 7.7%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
10.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding and herding livestock; or removing animal waste. May perform tasks such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.
Overview
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$25,548
25th
$34,064
50th (Median)
$42,580
75th
$51,096
90th
$63,870
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
Job Market Intelligence
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:65,200
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+7.7%
Annual Openings:10,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)65,200
Current
2034 (Projected)70,300
+7.7%
+5,000
Employment Change
+7.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
Top Skills
✓
Operation and Control
Operation and Control
✓
Operations Monitoring
Operations Monitoring
✓
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
✓
Quality Control Analysis
Quality Control Analysis
✓
Repairing
Repairing
✓
Equipment Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance
✓
Active Listening
Active Listening
Key Knowledge Areas
✓
English Language
Education & Training
Education Required
High school diploma or less
Experience Required
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Job Training
Short demonstration or on-the-job training