Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
SOC: 49-3041 O*NET: 49-3041.00
Median Salary
$52,080
per year
Job Growth
🚀 11%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.
What does a Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,920
10th percentile
Early Career
$45,660
25th percentile
Median
$52,080
50th percentile
Experienced
$63,070
75th percentile
Top Earners
$76,860
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,920
25th
$45,660
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$52,080
Mean: $55,290
75th
$63,070
90th
$76,860
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $39,940 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $45,660 and $63,070
- •Salary spread is 33.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 36,880 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:39,000
Top Industries
Wholesale Trade74.3%
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods69.9%
Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers69.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+11%
Annual Openings:3,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)39,000
Current
2034 (Projected)43,300
+11%
+4,300
Employment Change
+11%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
4,360 jobs$49,6101.01x
Iowa
2,110 jobs$58,2205.64x
Illinois
2,010 jobs$59,6501.39x
Kansas
1,950 jobs$49,4505.68x
Texas
1,920 jobs$47,4300.58x
Wisconsin
1,610 jobs$50,9602.31x
Indiana
1,540 jobs$51,3002.02x
Nebraska
1,540 jobs$51,0606.33x
Minnesota
1,450 jobs$60,4502.08x
Washington
1,240 jobs$59,1501.47x
Ohio
1,220 jobs$49,0300.92x
Missouri
1,200 jobs$50,0301.71x
Pennsylvania
1,080 jobs$49,7700.75x
Michigan
860 jobs$50,9200.82x
Arkansas
850 jobs$47,7202.76x
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
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Equipment Maintenance
100%
#2
Repairing
94%
#3
Troubleshooting
86%
#4
Operation and Control
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Operations Monitoring
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Quality Control Analysis
54%
#9
Equipment Selection
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Equipment Maintenance
advanced5.0
100%
Repairing
advanced4.7
94%
Troubleshooting
intermediate4.3
86%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Quality Control Analysis
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:
Equipment Maintenance
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Repairing
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Equipment Selection
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers100%
5 shared skills
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines100%
5 shared skills
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Signal and Track Switch Repairers100%
5 shared skills
Boilermakers82%
5 shared skills
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Repairing
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Repairing
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
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 Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 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
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡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 mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate 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:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)General Responsibilities (11)
1
Record details of repairs made and parts used.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Clean and lubricate parts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Tune or overhaul engines.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Drive trucks to haul tools and equipment for on-site repair of large machinery.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping 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 Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
💡 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?
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.58
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.54
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.49
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.33
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.32
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.26
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Persistence
4.5
Initiative
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Independence
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Self-Control
4.2
Integrity
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
💡 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
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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