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Salary comparison

Actuaries vs. Agricultural Equipment Operators: Who Earns More?

Actuaries out-earn Agricultural Equipment Operators by $88K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Actuaries land at $130,000 and Agricultural Equipment Operators at $41,730. The education gap is real: actuary programs typically require bachelor's degree, while agricultural equipment operator programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Actuaries is Connecticut ($166,800); for Agricultural Equipment Operators it's Montana ($58,770).

Actuaries
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Median salary
$130,000
$41,730
Hourly rate
$62.5/hr
$20.06/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$78,570
$33,500
Senior level (90th %)
$215,100
$58,650
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
26,670
28,500
Job growth (10-year)
21.8%
7.7%
Category
Technology
Farming & Fishing
Top-paying state
Connecticut
Montana

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Actuaries median pay.

State
Actuaries
Agricultural Equipment Operators
New York
$156,480
$50,020
Virginia
$131,900
$47,890
Wisconsin
$131,640
$47,100
Missouri
$129,220
$46,490
Iowa
$128,690
$47,220
Minnesota
$128,100
$48,520
Massachusetts
$126,040
$49,150
Pennsylvania
$125,040
$47,100
Kansas
$125,010
$45,570
Maine
$119,620
$46,490
Illinois
$115,430
$46,050
Ohio
$110,980
$47,220
Nebraska
$102,790
$46,670
Indiana
$100,690
$46,280
Louisiana
$80,860
$58,520

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Actuaries or Agricultural Equipment Operators?

Actuaries earn more nationally. The median is $130,000 for Actuaries versus $41,730 for Agricultural Equipment Operators, a difference of $88K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Actuaries or Agricultural Equipment Operators?

Actuaries has the better 10-year outlook at 21.8% projected growth, compared to 7.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Actuaries or Agricultural Equipment Operators?

Actuaries typically requires bachelor's degree. Agricultural Equipment Operators requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Actuaries get paid the most?

Connecticut is the top-paying state for Actuaries at $166,800/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Actuaries vs. Agricultural Equipment Operators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Actuaries earn $156,480 vs. $50,020 for Agricultural Equipment Operators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Actuaries salary breakdownView →Full Agricultural Equipment Operators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Actuaries by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Agricultural Equipment Operators by take-home payExplore →How to become a actuariesGuide →How to become a agricultural equipment operatorsGuide →