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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Agricultural Equipment Operators: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians out-earn Agricultural Equipment Operators by $41K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians land at $82,890 and Agricultural Equipment Operators at $41,730. The education gap is real: aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while agricultural equipment operator programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is Washington ($125,160); for Agricultural Equipment Operators it's Montana ($58,770).

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Median salary
$82,890
$41,730
Hourly rate
$39.85/hr
$20.06/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$59,050
$33,500
Senior level (90th %)
$125,160
$58,650
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
11,280
28,500
Job growth (10-year)
8.1%
7.7%
Category
Engineering
Farming & Fishing
Top-paying state
Washington
Montana

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians median pay.

State
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Agricultural Equipment Operators
Washington
$125,160
$38,470
California
$99,000
$38,820
Colorado
$98,990
$37,290
Maryland
$91,820
$39,580
Oregon
$81,100
$44,150
Virginia
$81,040
$47,890
Massachusetts
$79,420
$49,150
Ohio
$79,310
$47,220
Florida
$78,560
$36,660
Kansas
$78,350
$45,570
Minnesota
$71,240
$48,520
Michigan
$69,840
$42,380
New York
$64,480
$50,020
Indiana
$62,520
$46,280
Pennsylvania
$60,770
$47,100

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Agricultural Equipment Operators?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn more nationally. The median is $82,890 for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians versus $41,730 for Agricultural Equipment Operators, a difference of $41K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Agricultural Equipment Operators?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 8.1% projected growth, compared to 7.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Agricultural Equipment Operators?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Agricultural Equipment Operators requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians at $125,160/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Agricultural Equipment Operators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn $125,160 vs. $38,470 for Agricultural Equipment Operators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Agricultural Equipment Operators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Agricultural Equipment Operators by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a agricultural equipment operatorsGuide →